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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY 


FROM    THE    FRENCH    OF 


Mm.  LA  COMTESSE  DE  SEGUR. 


BY    P.    S.,   A   GRADUATE    OF    ST.   JOSEPH'S.    EMMITTSBURG,    MD. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

H.    L.    KILNER    &    CO., 

PUBLISHERS. 


COPYRIGHT,  JOHN  B.  PIET,  188O. 


PZ 
10.3 


TO  MY  LITTLE   MASTER, 

M.    HENRI    DE   SEGUR. 


MY  little  master,  you  have  been  good  to  me,  but  you  have 
epoken  contemptuously  of  donkeys  in  general.  To  make  you  better 
acquainted  with  them,  I  write  and  offer  you  this  story  of  my  adven- 
tures, from  which  you  will  learn,  my  dear  little  master,  how  I,  a  poor 
donkey,  and  my  very  many  donkey  friends,  have  been  and  are 
still  unjustly  treated  by  men.  You  will  see  that  we  have  much 
intelligence  and  many  excellent  qualities;  you  will  also  see  how 
wicked  I  was  in  my  youth,  that  I  was  severely  punished  for  it,  and 
how  repentance  changed  me  and  restored  to  me  the  friendship  of  my 
comrades  and  masters.  In  fine,  you  will  perceive  on  reading  this 
book,  that  instead  of  saying  "  as  stupid  as  a  donkey,  as  ignorant  as  a 
donkey,  as  headstrong  as  a  donkey,"  one  should  say,  "as  intelligent 
as  a  donkey,  as  learned  as  a  donkey,  as  docile  as  a  donkey,"  and  that 
you  and  your  kindred  might  well  be  proud  of  these  eulogiums. 

Hi !  ban !  my  good  master,  I  hope  no  period  of  your  life  may 
resemble  the  early  years  of  your  faithful  servant, 

CADICHON,  THE  LEARNED  DONKEY. 


545637 


ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 


1  DO  not  remember  my  infancy ;  I  was  probably  unhappy,  like 
all  infant  donkeys,  pretty  and  graceful  as  we  all  are.  I  was  certainly 
very  intelligent,  since,  even  at  my  present  time  of  life,  being  now 
somewhat  advanced  in  years,  my  mental  endowments  are  far  superior 
to  those  of  my  comrades.  More  than  once  did  I  outwit  my  poor 
masters,  who  were  but  men,  and  who,  consequently,  could  not  be 
expected  to  possess  the  intelligence  of  a  donkey. 

I  shall  begin  these  Adventures  by  relating  one  of  the  tricks  I 
played  upon  them  in  my  youth. 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 


Page- 
I.— TITE  MARKET,         •  -  -  -  -1 

II.— THE  PURSUIT,        -                                      ...  8 

III.-NEW  MASTERS,       ------  13 

IV.— THE  BRIDGE,         ------  17 

V.— THE  CEMETERY,    -  24 

VI— THE  HIDING-PLACE,         ...                         -  32 

VII.-THE  LOCKET,         ...                                        -  40 

VIII.— THE  FIRE,                           -                                                      -  46 

IX.— THE  DONKEY  RACE,          -  53 

X.— GOOD  MASTERS,    ------  66 

XI.— CADICHON  SICK,    ------  75 

XII.— THE  ROBBERS,       -  78 

XIII.— THE  VAULTS,         -  86 

XIV.— THERESA,                             -----  94 

XV.— THE  GUNNING  PARTY,      -                         -  111 

XVI— MEDOR,     -  -  -122 

XVII.— THE  SCHOOL  CHILDREN,                                                      -  1.32 

XVIII.— THE  BAPTISM,        -                                                     -  138 

XIX.-THE  LEARNED  DONKEY,  -  147 

XX.— THE  FROG.                         -                         -                         -  161 

XXI.-THE  PONY.                         -                                                   -  168 

XXII.— THE  PUNISHMENT.             -                                                      -  18O 

XXIII.— THE  REFORMATION,          -                                        -             -  194 

XXIV.-THE  ROBBERS,       -  218 

XXV.— THE  REPARATION,              -                                        -  239 

XXVI.— THE  BOAT,              ------  254 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 


T. 

THE  MARKET. 

MEN  not  being  supposed  to  be  aware  of  all  that  don- 
keys know,  you,  who  read  this  book,  are  doubtless  igno- 
rant of  what  is  well  known  to  all  my  donkey  friends, 
namely :  that  every  Tuesday  in  the  town  of  Laigle  there 
is  held  a  market,  where  vegetables,  butter,  eggs,  cheese 
and  other  excellent  things  are  sold.  This  Tuesday  is  a 
day  of  torture  for  my  poor  comrades ;  it  was  so  for  me 
before  I  was  bought  by  my  present  good  old  mistress,  your 
grandmother.  I  belonged  to  a  farmer's  wife,  exacting 
and  cruel.  Just  imagine,  my  dear  little  master,  that  she 
carried  her  malice  so  far  as  to  collect  all  the  eggs  her 
hens  laid,  all  the  butter  and  cheese  from  her  cows'  milk, 
all  the  vegetables  and  fruits  that  ripened  during  the  week, 
to  fill  baskets  which  she  placed  upon  my  back. 

And  when  I  was  so  heavily  laden  that  I  could 
scarcely  move,  this  wicked  woman  seated  herself  upon 
the  baskets  and  obliged  me  to  trot  thus  burdened,  over- 
whelmed, indeed,  to  the  market  of  Laigle,  a  league  from 
the  farm.  I  was  all  this  time  in  a  rage  1  dared  not  show, 


2  THE    ADVENTURES   OF    A   DONKEY. 

for  fear  of  the  stick  my  mistress  carried,  a  very  big  one 
full  of  knots,  that  hurt  sorely  when  she  beat  me.  When- 
ever I  saw  or  heard  these  preparations  for  market,  I 
sighed,  I  groaned,  I  ever  brayed,  in  hopes  of  softening 
the  hearts  of  my  owners. 

"  Shut  your  mouth,  great  idle  thing,"  said  they,  coming 
to  get  me,  "shut  your  mouth,  and  do  not  deafeii  us  with 


your  coarse,  horrid  voice.  Hi!  han!  hi!  han !  that  is 
beautiful  music  you  are  giving  us!  Edward,  my  boy,  bring 
this  lazy  beast  up  to  the  door  whilst  your  mother  puts 
the  load  on  his  back.  Here  is  a  basket  of  eggs — one 
more!  The  cheese — the  butter! — now  the  vegetables. 
That's  right!  Here  is  a  fine  load,  that  is  going  to 
bring  us  several  five  franc  pieces.  Mary,  my  daughter, 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY.  3 

bring  a  chair  for  your  mother  to  mount  the  donkey. 
Good  bye,  a  pleasant  trip,  wife,  and  make  this  lazy  beast 
move.  Hold  on,  here  is  your  stick,  hit  him  with  it." 

Pan!  Pan! 

"  That's  right,  a  few  more  caresses  of  that  kind  and 
he'll  go." 

Vlan !  Vlan  !  The  stick  never  ceased  to  belabor  my 
sides,  my  legs,  my  neck ;  I  trotted,  I  almost  galloped,  yet 
the  woman  still  beat  me.  I  was  indignant  at  so  much 
injustice  and  cruelty;  I  tried  to  kick  and  throw  her  off, 
but  I  was  too  heavily  burdened  ;  I  could  only  start  and 
sway  from  side  to  side,  thus  affording  myself  the  satisfac- 
tion of  feeling  her  slipping  down.  "Wicked  donkey! 
stupid  animal!  headstrong  creature!"  said  she,  "  I  am 
going  to  teach  you  better,  I'll  let  you  feel  the  weight  of 
my  stick." 

And  indeed,  she  beat  me  so  I  could  scarcely  reach  the 
town.  We  arrived  at  last.  All  the  baskets  were  lifted 
off  my  poor  skinned  back  and  placed  on  the  ground. 
My  mistress  having  tied  me  to  a  post,  went  to  break- 
fast, whilst  I,  who  was  dying  of  hunger  and  thirst,  got 
not  a  sprig  of  grass,  or  a  drop  of  water.  I  found  means 
of  getting  close  to  the  vegetables  during  her  absence  and 
refreshed  myself  by  filling  my  stoi  iach  with  a  basket  of 
salad  and  cabbage.  1  had  never  eaten  anything  so  good 
in  my  life,  but  just  as  I  was  finishing  the  last  cabbage  and 
the  last  salad,  my  mistress  returned.  She  uttered  a 
scream  on  seeing  her  basket  empty ;  I  regarded  her  with 
such  a  satisfied  insolent  air,  that  she  immediately  recog- 


4  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 

nized  me  as  the  author  of  her  loss.  I  shall  not  repeat 
to  you  the  names  she  called  me.  She  was  very  high- 
tempered,  and  when  in  a  rage,  she  swore  and  said  things 
that  made  me  blush,  donkey  as  I  am.  Having  loaded 
me  with  the  most  humiliating  reproaches,  to  which  I  made 
no  reply,  except  by  licking  my  lips  and  turning  my  back 
upon  her,  she  took  her  stick  and  began  to  beat  me  so 
cruelly,  that  I,  at  last,  lost  all  patience,  and  launched  at 
her  three  kicks,  the  first  of  which  broke  her  nose  and 


two  teeth;  the  second,  her  wrist,  and  the  third,  striking 
her  in  the  stomach,  knocked  her  over.  Twenty  persons 
rushed  upon  me,  overwhelming  me  with  blows  and  vile 
words.  They  carried  my  mistress  off,  I  know  not  where, 
and  left  me  attached  to  the  post,  near  which  the  market- 
ing I  had  brought  was  displayed.  Here  I  remained 
a  long  time ;  seeing  that  no  one  thought  of  me,  I  ate  a 
second  basket  of  excellent  vegetables,  and  cutting  with 
my  teeth  the  cord  that  held  me,  I  quietly  took  the  road 
home. 

Every  one  I  passed  on  the  way  seemed  astonished  at 
seeing  me  alone. 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  5 

"  Look,  there  is  a  donkey  with  a  broken  strap !  He 
has  escaped,"  said  one. 

"It  must  be  a  fugitive  from  the  galleys,"  said  another. 
And  they  all  began  to  laugh. 

"  He  doesn't  carry  a  heavy  load  on  his  back,"  remarked 
a  third. 

"  Very  true,"  exclaimed  a  youth,  "  he  has  been  at  some 
mischief." 


"  Catch  him,  husband,"  said  a  woman,  "let  us  put  the 
little  one  in  the  saddle." 

"  He  will  carry  you.  as  well  as  the  little  boy,"  replied 
the  husband. 

"Wishing  to  give  them  a  good  opinion  of  my  gentleness 
and  condescension,  I  very  quietly  approached  the  woman 
and  stopped  to  let  her  mount. 

"  He  doesn't  seem  at  all  vicious,"  said  the  man,  helping 
his  wife  into  the  saddle. 


6  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 

I  smiled  with  pity  at  hearing  this.  Vicious !  as  if  a 
donkey  kindly  treated  was  ever  vicious!  We  become 
ill-tempered,  disobedient,  headstrong,  only  in  retaliation 
for  the  blows  and  foul  names  heaped  upon  us.  When 
properly  treated,  we  are  good  natured— much  better  in 
this  respect  than  other  animals. 

I  carried  the  wife  and  child  home.  The  latter  was  a 
pretty  little  boy  about  two  years  old,  who  caressed  me 
fondly,  thought  me  charming,  and  wanted  to  keep  me 
altogether.  But  I  reflected  that  this  would  not  be  hon- 
est; my  masters  had  bought  me,  I  belonged  to  them.  I 
had  already  revenged  myself  upon  my  mistress  by  break 
ing  her  nose,  teeth  and  wrist,  and  giving  her  a  good  kick 
in  the  stomach.  Seeing,  then,  that  the  mother  would 
yield  to  the  little  boy,  whom  she  spoiled  (I  soon  perceived 
this  whilst  they  were  on  my  back),  I  jumped  to  one  side, 
and  before  the  mother  could  seize  my  bridle,  was  off  in  a 
gallop  towards  home. 

Mary,  my  master's  daughter,  saw  me  first. 

"  Oh  !  there  is  Cadichon.  How  early  he  has  returned. 
Here,  Edward,  come  take  off  his  saddle." 

"  Wicked  creature,"  said  Edward,  in  an  angry  tone, 
"  one  has  always  to  be  bothered  with  you.  But  why  has  he 
returned  alone  ?  I'll  bet  he  has  run  away.  Yile  beast !  " 
he  added,  kicking  me  on  the  leg,  "  if  I  knew  you  had 
escaped,  I  would  give  you  a  hundred  licks  of  the  stick  ! " 

Once  rid  of  my  saddle  and  bridle,  I  went  off  galloping. 
Scarcely  had  I  entered  the  pasture,  when  I  heard  loud 
cries  proceeding  from  the  house.  Approaching  the 


THE   ADVENTUBES   OF   A    DONKEY.  7 

hedge,  I  saw  that  the  farmer's  wife  had  been  brought 
home,  and  I  recognized  the  screams  as  those  of  the  chil- 
dren. I  listened  most  intently,  and  heard  Edward  say  to 
his  father : 

<k  Father,  I  am  going  to  tie  him  to  a  tree,  and  take  the 
big  wagon  whip  and  beat  him  till  he  falls  to  the  ground  !  " 

"  Very  well,  my  son,  go,  but  do  not  kill  him,  for  we 
would  lose  what  he  cost  us.  I  shall  sell  him  at  the  next 
fair." 

I  trembled  with  fright  on  hearing  these  words,  and  on 
seeing  Edward  run  to  the  stable  for  the  whip.  There  was 
no  time  for  hesitation,  and  without  any  scruple  now  as 
to  defrauding  my  owner  of  what  he  had  paid  for  me,  I 
ran  towards  the  hedge  separating  me  from  the  fields,  and 
dashed  against  it  with  such  force,  that  I  broke  the 
branches  and  made  my  way  through.  I  ran  at  full  speed 
through  the  field,  and  I  continued  to  gallop  a  very  long 
time,  believing  myself  pursued.  At  last,  unable  to  go 
farther,  I  stopped ;  I  listened,  but  heard  nothing.  I 
mounted  a  slight  eminence,  I  saw  no  one.  Then  I  began 
to  breathe  freely,  and  rejoice  at  having  delivered  myself 
from  these  wicked  farmers. 

But  I  now  commenced  to  wonder  what  would  become 
of  me.  If  I  remained  where  was  I  would  be  discovered, 
recognized  and  taken  back  to  my  master's.  What  should 
I  do  ?  where  should  1  go  ? 

I  looked  around,  and  finding  myself  solitary  and 
unhappy,  I  was  about  to  shed  tears  over  my  sad  fate, 
when  I  perceived  that  I  was  on  the  edge  of  a  magnificent 
woods,  it  was  the  forest  of  St.  Evroult. 


8  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY. 

"What  good  luck!"  I  exclaimed,  "In  this  forest  I 
shall  find  tender  herbage,  water,  fresh  moss;  1  shall 
remain  here  a  few  days,  and  then  go  to  another  forest, 
iarther,  much  farther  from  my  master's  farm." 

I  entered  the  forest;  I  ate  with  delight  the  tender 
grass  and  I  drank  the  water  from  a  beautiful  spring. 
Towards  night,  I  lay  down  on  the  moss  at  the  foot  of  an 
old  pine,  and  there  slept  peacefully  till  morning. 


II. 

THE  PURSUIT. 

THE  next  morning  after  eating  and  drinking,  I  thought 
over  my  happiness. 

"  Here,"  said  I,  "  they  can  never  find  me,  I  am  saved. 
In  two  days,  however,  when  I  shall  have  rested  from  my 
fatigue,  I  will  go  still  farther." 

Scarcely  was  this  reflection  finished,  when  I  heard  the 
distant  barking  of  a  dog,  then  of  another,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  I  distinguished  the  sound  of  a  whole  pack  of 
hounds.  Anxious,  and  even  somewhat  frightened,  I 
arose  and  went  towards  a  little  stream  that  I  had  noticed 
in  the  morning.  Scarcely  had  1  done  so,  ere  I  heard 
Edward  saying  to  the  dogs : 

"  Come,  come,  dogs,  seek  him  well,  find  me  this  wicked 
donkey,  bite  him,  tear  his  legs  to  pieces  and  bring  him  to 
me,  that  I  may  lay  my  whip  on  his  back." 


Towards  evening  two  men  entered  the  meadow.— '.Page  H-) 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  11 

1  nearly  sank  to  the  ground  from  fright;  but  suddenly 
remembering  that  I  could  throw  the  dogs  off  my  track 
by  walking  in  the  water,  I  ran  at  once  to  the  stream, 
which  fortunately  was  bordered  on  both  sides  with  very 
thick  bushes.  I  walked  a  very  long  time  without  stop- 
ping ;  the  barking  of  the  dogs  died  away  in  the  distance, 
as  well  as  the  voice  of  the  wicked  Edward. 

Breathless  and  exhausted  I  stopped  an  instant  to 
drink,  and  I  ate  a  few  leaves  from  the  bushes.  My  legs 
were  stiff  with  cold,  but  I  dared  not  quit  the  water,  for 
fear  the  dogs  might  return  and  get  upon  my  trail.  When 
somewhat  rested  I  began  to  run,  following  the  stream 
all  the  while,  until  I  was  out  of  the  forest.  I  then  found 
myself  in  a  vast  meadow,  where  cows  and  oxen  (over  fifty 
in  number)  were  pasturing.  They  took  no  notice  of  me, 
so  I  lay  down  in  the  sun  to  rest  in  a  corner  of  the  field. 
Towards  evening  two  men  entered  the  meadow. 
"  Brother,"  said  the  tallest  of  the  two,  "  shall  we  not 
bring  up  the  cattle  tonight?  they  say  there  are  wolves 
in  the  woods." 

"  Wolves !  who  told  you  that  nonsense  ? " 
"  The  Aigle  folks.     They  tell  how  a  donkey  from  the 
hedge  farm  was  carried  off  and  devoured  in  the  forest." 

"  Bah  1  let  it  go,  the  people  of  that  farm  are  so  cruel, 
they  have  beaten  their  donkey  to  death." 
"  Why,  then,  would  they  say  the  wolves  devoured  it  ? " 
"  Because  it  is  not  known  that  they  killed  it." 
"  Even  so,  it  would  be  better  to  bring  in  the  cattle." 
"  Do  as  you  wish,  brother,  I  leave  it  to  you." 


12          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

I  did  not  stir  in  my  corner,  for  fear  of  being  discovered. 
The  gras8  was  high  and  concealed  me  entirely,  the  cattle 
did  not  pass  near  me,  but  were  driven  towards  the  gate 
and  thence  to  their  masters'  farm. 

I  had  no  fear  of  wolves,  for  1  was  the  very  donkey  of 
whom  the  men  spoke ;  and  in  the  forest  where  I  had 
passed  the  night,  I  had  not  seen  even  a  wolf's  trail.  So 
I  slept  delightfully,  and  was  finishing  my  breakfast  when 
the  cattle  re-entered  the  field,  led  by  two  big  dogs. 

Whilst  I  was  quietly  looking  at  them,  one  of  the  dogs 
perceived  me,  and  barking  fiercely,  ran  at  me,  followed 
by  his  companion.  What  would  become  of  me?  how 
should  I  escape  them  ?  I  rushed  against  the  fence  enclos- 
ing the  meadow ;  the  stream  I  had  followed  crossed  the 
lot,  and  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  clear  this  stream,  also 
to  hear  the  voice  of  one  of  the  men  I  had  seen  the  evening 
before,  calling  back  his  dogs.  I  quietly  continued  my 
walk  until  I  had  reached  another  forest,  the  name  of 
which  I  did  not  know.  I  must  now  have  been  more  than 
ten  leagues  from  the  hedge  farm ;  consequently  1  was 
safe,  no  one  knew  me,  and  I  could  show  myself  without 
fear  of  being  taken  back  to  my  former  owners. 


III. 

THE  NEW  MASTERS. 

I  LIVED  peacefully  in  this  forest  one  month.  Some- 
times I  felt  a  little  lonesome,  but  I  preferred  solitude  to 
misery.  I  was  then  tolerably  happy,  when  I  began  to 
perceive  that  the  grass  was  getting  scarce  and  dry,  the 
leaves  falling,  the  water  freezing,  the  ground  growing 
damp. 

"  Alas !  alas ! "  thought  I,  "  what  is  to  become  of  me? 
If  I  stay  here  I  shall  perish  of  cold,  of  hunger  and  thirst, 
but  where  shall  I  go  ?  who  is  there  that  wants  me  ?" 

By  dint  of  reflection,  I  devised  a  means  of  securing 
Bhelter.  Leaving  the  forest,  I  went  to  a  little  village 
near  by.  There  I  saw  a  small,  neat  looking,  isolated 
house,  and  a  good  woman  seated  at  the  door  spinning. 
I  was  touched  with  her  sad,  gentle  appearance;  I  ap- 
proached her  and  put  my  head  upon  her  shoulder.  Much 
startled,  the  good  woman  uttered  a  scream  and  jumped 
up  from  her  chair.  I  did  not  stir,  but  regarded  her  with 
a  pitiful,  supplicating  air. 

"  Poor  beast !  "  said  she,  at  length,  "  you  do  not  look 

wicked.     If  no  one  owned  you,  I  would  be  very  much 

pleased  to  have  you  supply  the  place  of  my  poor  old 

Grison,  who  died  of  old  age.     I  could  then  continue  to 

a  (is) 


14:  THE   ADVENTURES   OF    A   DONKEY. 

make  my  living  selling  my  vegetables  at  the  market 
But,  no  doubt,  you  have  a  master,"  she  added,  sighing. 

"  To  whom  are  you  talking,  grandmother  ?  "  said  a  soft 
voice  from  the  inside  of  the  house. 

"  I  am  talking  to  a  donkey  that  has  come  here  and  put 
his  head  on  my  shoulder,  and  he  looks  at  me  so  pitifully 
that  I  haven't  the  heart  to  drive  him  away." 

"Let  me  see!  let  me  see!"  answered  the  soft  voice. 
And  immediately  there  appeared  on  the  threshold  a 
handsome  little  boy  six  or  seven  years  of  age,  neatly  but 
poorly  clad.  He  looked  at  me  with  a  curious,  half  timid 
air. 

"  May  I  pet  him,  grandmother  ?  "  said  he. 

"  Certainly,  my  George,  but  take  care  that  he  does 
not  bite  you." 

The  little  boy  extended  his  arm,  and  not  being  able  to 
reach  me,  he  advanced  a  step,  then  another,  and  began  to 
smooth  my  back. 

I  did  not  stir  for  fear  of  frightening  him ;  I  only 
turned  my  head  towards  him,  and  passed  my  tongue  over 
his  hand. 

"  Grandmother,  grandmother,  this  poor  donkey  is  so 
good-natured,  he  has  licked  my  hand." 

"  It  is  very  strange  that  he  should  be  alone.  Where  is 
his  master?  Go,  George,  to  the  village  inn,  where 
travelers  stop,  and  make  inquiries  about  him.  His  mas- 
ter is  probably  worried  about  him." 

"Shall  I  take  the  donkey,  grandmother?  " 

"  He  will  not  follow  you ;  let  him  go  where  he  wishes." 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    DONKEY.  15 

George  started  off  in  a  run;  I  trotted  after  him. 
When  he  saw  that  I  followed,  he  came  to  me,  and  petting 
me,  said:  "  Say  then,  my  pretty  donkey,  since  you  follow 
me,  you  will  surely  let  me  ride  you."  And  he  mounted 
at  once,  exclaiming  as  he  did  so, "  get  up !  "  I  went  off  in 
a  little  gallop,  which  enchanted  him.  "Ho!  ho!"  said 
he  before  the  inn,  I  stopped  immediately,  and  George 
dismounted.  I  remained  opposite  the  door,  not  stirring 
any  more  than  if  I  had  been  tied. 

"  What  is  it,  my  boy  ?  "  said  the  inn-keeper. 

"  I  came  to  know,  Mr.  Duval,  if  this  donkey  at  the  door 
belongs  to  you  or  any  of  your  customers?" 

Mr.  Duval  came  to  the  door  and  regarded  me  attent- 
ively. "  No,  my  boy,"  said  he,  "  it  is  not  mine,  nor  that 
of  any  one  I  know.  You  will  have  to  inquire  further." 

George  remounted,  and  setting  oif  again  in  a  gallop, 
we  went  from  house  to  house,  inquiring  for  my  owner. 
No  one  knew  me,  and  we  returned  to  the  good  grand- 
mother, who  was  still  sitt;ng  in  the  door  spinning. 

"  Grandmother,  the  donkey  belongs  to  no  one  about 
here.  What  are  we  to  do  with  him  ?  He  keeps  close  to 
me,  but  he  jumps  away  when  anybody  else  tries  to  touch 
him." 

"  In  that  case,  my  George,  we  must  not  let  him  stay 
out  doors  all  night;  something  might  happen  to  him. 
Lead  him  to  our  poor  Grison's  stable,  give  him  a  bundle 
of  hay  and  a  bucket  of  water.  We  can  take  him  to 
market  to-morrow,  and  perhaps  we  may  find  his  master." 

"  And  if  we  do  not  find  him,  grandmother  2 " 


16  THE  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  We  will  keep  the  donkey  till  some  one  claims  him. 
We  could  not  let  the  poor  beast  perish  of  cold  this  winter, 
or  fall  into  the  hands  of  wicked  people  who  would  beat 
him,  or  cause  his  death  from  fatigue  and  hard  treatment." 

After  giving  me  food  and  water,  George  caressed  me 
and  went  out,  saying,  as  he  shut  the  door : 

"  How  I  hope  he  has  no  master,  so  he  may  stay  with  us." 

Next  day,  having  given  me  my  breakfast,  George  put 
a  halter  on  my  neck  and  led  me  up  to  the  door;  the 
grandmother  next  placed  a  very  light  pack-saddle  on  my 
back  and  seated  herself  upon  it.  George  then  brought 
a  little  basket  of  vegetables,  which  ehe  took  upon  her 
knees,  and  we  set  out  for  the  market  of  Mamers.  The 
good  woman  sold  her  vegetables  at  a  fair  price,  no  one 
recognized  me,  and  I  returned  with  my  new  mistress. 

I  lived  there  four  years ;  I  was  happy,  injuring  no  one 
and  making  myself  very  useful,  for  I  loved  my  little 
master,  who  never  beat  me,  never  worked  me  to  death  and 
always  fed  me  well.  However,  I  was  no  glutton;  in 
summer,  remnants  of  vegetables  and  the  herbs  which 
neither  the  horses  nor  cows  ate;  in  winter  a  little  hay 
and  the  skins  of  potatoes,  carrots  and  turnips,  satisfied 
my  wants,  as  is  the  case  with  other  donkeys. 

There  were  some  days  I  did  not  enjoy,  those  on  which 
my  mistress  hired  me  to  the  children  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. Being  poor,  and  not  always  having  enough  work 
to  keep  me  busy,  she  was  very  glad  to  make  a  little  some- 
thing by  hiring  me  to  the  children  of  the  castle  near  by. 

Tiiey  were  not  always  good  children. 

Listen  to  what  happened  on  one  of  these  excursions. 


IV. 

THE  BRIDGE. 

THERE  were  six  donkeys  drawn  up  in  the  yard ;  1  was 
one  of  the  handsomest  and  strongest  of  the  number. 
Three  little  girls  brought  us  oats  in  a  bucket.  Whilst 
eating  I  listened  to  the  children's  conversation. 

"  Come  "  said  Charles,"  let  us  choose  our  donkeys,  as  for 
myself,  I  take  that  one,"  pointing  to  me  with  his  finger. 

"  You  always  take  the  best,"  answered  the  five  children 
at  once,  "  we  must  draw  lots." 

"  How  do  you  wish  us  to  draw  lots,  Caroline,"  replied 
Charles,  "  do  we  put  the  donkeys  in  a  bag  and  draw  them 
out  as  one  does  balls  ? " 

"Ah!  ah!  ah!"  said  Francis,  "what  an  idiot,  with 
his  donkeys  in  a  bag !  As  if  one  could  not  number  them 
1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  put  the  numbers  in  a  bag,  and  let  each 
draw  his  number." 

"  So  we  can  "  cried  the  five  others,  "  Ernest  set  down 
the  numbers,  while  we  write  them  on  the  donkey's  backs. 

These  children  are  dunces,  said  I  to  myself.  If  they 
had  the  sense  of  a  donkey,  instead  of  tiring  themselves 
writing  numbers  on  our  backs,  they  would  simply  arrange 
us  along  the  wall,  the  first  would  be  1,  the  second,  2,  and 
BO  on  for  the  rest. 

2*  (17) 


18          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

Meanwhile,  Francis  had  brought  a  big  piece  of  coal. 
I  was  the  first,  so  he  made  an  enormous  1  on  my  back ; 
whilst  he  wrote  2  on  that  of  my  comrade,  I  gave  myself 
a  vigorous  shake,  to  convince  him  that,  his  invention  was 
not  a  famous  one.  Behold,  the  particles  of  coal  flew  off 
and  the  1  disappeared.  "You  dunce!"  cried  he,  "I 
must  commence  over."  Whilst  he  re  wrote  his  number 
1,  my  comrade  that  had  perceived  my  doings,  and  was 
also  mischievous,  shook  himself  in  turn.  Behold  the  2 
disappear.  Francis  began  to  get  angry;  the  others 
laughed  and  mocked  him.  I  made  a  sign  to  my  com- 
rades and  we  let  him  number  us,  no  one  budged.  Ernest 
returned  with  the  numbers  in  his  handkerchief ;  each  one 
drew.  Whilst  they  were  looking  at  what  they  had  drawn 
I  made  another  sign  to  my  comrades,  and  we  all  -shook 
ourselves  worse  than  ever.  More  coal,  more  numbers,  it 
must  be  commenced  over,  the  children  were  enraged. 
Charles  was  triumphant  and  giggled ;  Ernest,  Albert, 
Caroline,  Cecilia  and  Louisa  were  indignant  at  Francis, 
who  in  turn,  stamped  his  foot,  my  comrades  and  I  began 
to  bray.  The  noise  attracted  the  papas  and  mamas. 
The  cause  was  explained  to  them  and  one  of  the  papas 
suggested  the  plan  of  arranging  us  along  the  wall.  He 
made  the  children  draw  their  numbers. 

"  One  !  "  cried  Ernest.     It  was  myself. 

"  Two !  "  cried  Cecilia.     It  was  one  of  my  friends. 

"  Three,  cried  Francis,  and  so  on  to  the  last. 

"  Let  us  start  now,"  said  Charles,  "  I  go  first." 

"  Oh !  I  shall  soon  overtake  you,"  replied  Ernest  with 
animation. 


THE  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  DONKEY.  19 

« I  bet  not." 

"  I  bet  I  shall." 

Charles  taps  his  donkey,  which  sets  off  at  a  gallop. 
Before  Ernest  has  time  to  touch  me  with  a  whip,  I  start 
also,  and  at  such  a  pace  that  Charles  is  speedily  over- 
taken. Ernest  is  delighted,  Charles  is  furious.  He  taps 
and  keeps  tapping  his  donkey.  Ernest  has  no  need  to 
tap  me ;  I  run,  I  fly  like  the  wind.  I  pass  Charles  in  a 
minute,  and  I  hear  the  others  who  follow,  laughing,  and 
crying  out : 

"  Bravo  1  donkey  number  1,  bravo !  he  runs  like  a 
horse." 

Self  love  gives  me  courage ;  I  continue  to  gallop  until 
we  reach  a  bridge.  I  stop  suddenly,  for  I  have  just  per- 
ceived that  a  large  plank  in  the  bridge  is  rotten  ;  I  do 
not  wish  to  fall  in  the  water  with  Ernest,  but  to  return 
to  the  others  who  are  far,  far  behind  us. 

"  Ho  there !  ho  there !  donkey,"  said  Ernest  to  me, 
"  On  the  bridge,  donkey,  on  the  bridge." 

I  resist,  he  gives  me  a  touch  with  the  switch. 

I  still  continue  to  walk  towards  the  others. 

"  Headstrong  thing !  stupid  brute  1  will  you  turn  and 
pass  the  bridge  ?  " 

I  walk  on  towards  my  comrades  and  rejoin  them,  in 
epite  of  this  wicked  boy's  cross  words  and  blows. 

"  Why  do  you  beat  your  donkey,  Ernest?  "  cries  Caro- 
line, "  he  is  excellent,  he  went  flying  and  you  overtook 
Charles." 

"  I  beat  him  to  make  him  go  over  the  bridge,  he  is 
determined  to  turn  back." 


20          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"Ah  !  bah !  because  he  was  alone ;  now  that  we  are 
all  together  he  will  pass  the  bridge  like  the  rest." 

"  Unfortunate  creatures  !  "  think  I,  "  they  are  all  going 
to  fall  into  the  river.  I  must  try  to  convince  them  of 
the  danger." 

And  I  set  off  in  a  gallop  towards  the  bridge,  to  Ernest's 
great  satisfaction  and  amidst  cries  of  joy  from  the  other 
children. 

I  gallop  up  to  the  bridge ;  reaching  it,  I  stop  suddenly 
as  if  afraid,  Ernest  astonished,  urges  me  on,  I  recoil  with 
an  air  of  fright  that  surprises  Ernest  still  more.  Silly 
boy !  he  sees  nothing  though  the  rotten  board  is  in  full 
view.  The  others  rejoin  him,  and  enjoy  the  spectacle  of 
his  efforts  to  make  me  go  across  and  mine  not  to  do  so. 
At  last  the  whole  party  dismount  from  their  donkeys, 
each  one  pushing  and  beating  me  mercilessly,  still  I  budge 
not. 

"  Pull  him  by  the  tail,"  cries  Charles,  "  donkeys  are  so 
headstrong  that  if  you  want  to  make  them  go  one  way, 
they  are  sure  to  go  the  other." 

Behold  them  seize  me  by  the  tail.  I  defend  myself 
with  a  kick  ;  they  all  beat  me  at  once,  and  yet  I  will  not 
move  an  inch. 

"  Wait  Ernest,"  says  Charles,  "  let  me  go  first  and  he 
will  certainly  follow." 

He  tries  to  advance,  to  prevent  him  I  place  myself 
crosswise  before  the  bridge,  but  by  dint  of  blows  he 
makes  me  fall  back. 

«  Well,"  said  1  to  myself,  « I'll  give  up,  if  this  bad  boy 


THE  ADVENTUKE8  OF  A  DONKEY.          23 

wants  to  be  drowned,  let  him  be,  I  have  done  my  best  to 
save  him ;  since  he  is  so  determined,  let  him  taste  a 
draught." 

Scarcely  had  his  donkey  touched  the  rotten  plank,  ere 
it  gave  way,  and  both  rider  and  animal  were  thrown  into 
the  water.  There  was  no  danger  for  my  comrade,  as  like 
the  rest  of  his  race,  he  knew  how  to  swim,  but  Charles 
struggled  and  screamed  without  the  power  of  extricating 
himself. 

"A  pole  !  a  pole !  "  he  cried. 

The  Children  ran  in  every  direction,  at  last  Caroline 
found  a  long  pole,  which  she  hastily  held  out  to  him  ;  he 
seized  it,  but  his  weight  was  dragging  her  in,  and  she 
called  for  help.  Ernest,  Francis  and  Albert  ran  to  her. 
At  length,  with  a  great  deal  of  difficulty,  they  succeeded 
in  drawing  to  land  the  unhappy  Charles,  who  had  drank 
more  than  he  relished,  and  who  was  wet  from  head  to 
foot.  When  assured  of  his  safety,  they  all  began  to  laugh 
at  his  piteous  plight;  Charles  got  angry,  they  jumped 
upon  their  donkeys,  and  with  bursts  of  laughter  advised 
him  to  return  to  the  house  and  change  his  clothes.  Wet 
as  he  was,  he  mounted  his  donkey.  I  laughed  in  my 
sleeve  at  his  ridiculous  figure,  the  current  had  carried 
away  his  hat  and  shoes,  the  water  was  running  off  him 
to  the  ground,  his  dripping  hair  clung  to  him,  and  his 
countenance  was  furious — altogether  he  was  a  most  ludi- 
crous picture.  The  children  laughed,  my  comrades 
pranced  and  ran  to  express  their  delight. 

I  ought  to  add  that  Charles'  donkey  was  detested  by 


24:  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 

the  rest  of  us,  because  he  was  quarrelsome,  gluttonous 
and  stupid,  qualities  very  rare  among  us. 

At  length  Charles  disappeared,  and  both  children  and 
donkeys  became  more  quiet.  Every  one  caressed  me  and 
admired  my  spirit,  and  we  all  started  off  again,  I  at  the 
head  of  the  baud. 


V. 

THE  CEMETERY. 

WE  went  at  a  brisk  pace ;  and  soon  approached  the 
village  cemetery,  which  is  about  a  league  from  the  castle. 
"Suppose  we  turn  back  and  take  the  forest  road,"  said 
Caroline. 

"  Why  ? "  asked  Cecilia. 

"  Because  I  do  not  like  cemeteries." 

"  Why  do  you  not  like  them,"  replied  Cecilia  with  an 
air  of  derision.  "Are  you  afraid  you  will  not  get  away  ? " 

"  No,  but  I  think  of  the  poor  people  who  are  buried 
there,  and  it  makes  me  sad." 

The  children  ridiculed  Caroline  and  rode  directly  past 
the  wall.  They  were  just  about  to  keep  on,  when  Caro- 
line, who  seemed  disquieted,  stopped  her  donkey,  leaped 
off,  and  ran  to  the  cemetery  gate. 

"  What  are  you  doing,  Caroline,  where  arc  you  going  ? " 
exclaimed  the  others. 

Caroline  did  not  answer,  but  hurriedly  pushing  open 


THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    DONKEY. 


25 


the  gate,  she  entered  the  cemetery,  looked  all  around  her, 
and  ran  towards  a  freshly  made  grave. 

Ernest,  who  had  anxiously  followed,  had  caught  up 
with  her,  at  the  moment  when  bending  over  the  grave, 
she  lifted  up  a  poor  little  boy,  of  about  three  years, 
whose  moans  had  attracted  her  attention. 


"  What  is  the  matter,  my  poor  little  one  ?  Why  aro 
you  crying?  " 

The  child  could  not  answer  for  his  sobs. 

"  Why  are  you  here  alone  ? "  said  Caroline  again, 
noticing  the  child's  beauty  and  miserable  clothing. 


26  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

«  They  left  me  here,  I  am  hungry,"  he  answered  sob- 
bing. 

"  Who  left  you  here  ?  " 

"The  black  men,  I  am  hungry,"  was  the  answer 
accompanied  with  another  sob. 

"Ernest,"  said  Caroline,  "run,  and  get  our  lunch, 
quick ;  we  must  give  this  poor  little  fellow  something  to 
eat ;  he  will  tell  us  afterwards  why  he  weeps,  and  why 
he  is  here." 

Ernest  ran  to  get  the  basket  of  provisions,  whilst  Caro- 
line endeavored  to  console  the  child.  In  a  few  minutes 
Ernest  re-appeared,  followed  by  the  whole  band,  whom 
curiosity  had  attracted  to  the  spot.  They  gave  the  child 
some  cold  chicken  and  some  bread  soaked  in  wine.  As 
he  eat,  his  tears  ceased  to  flow,  his  countenance  became 
smiling.  When  he  had  eaten  heartily,  Caroline  again 
asked  him  why  he  was  lying  on  this  grave. 

"  Because  they  have  put  grandmother  here.  I  want  to 
wait  till  she  comes  back." 

"  Where  is  your  papa  ? " 

"  I  can't  tell,  I  dont  know  him." 

"And  your  mama? " 

"  I  don't  know,  black  men  carried  her  off  as  they  did 
grandmother." 

"  But  who  takes  care  of  you  ?  " 

"  No  one." 

«  Who  feeds  you  ? " 

"  Nobody,  I  suck  nurse." 

"  Where  is  your  nurse  ?  " 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  27 

«  Down  there  at  the  house." 

"What  does  she  do?" 

"  She  walks,  and  she  eats  grass." 

"Grass?" 

Here  all  the  children  looked  at  one  another  with  sur- 
prise. 

"  Is  she  silly  ? "  said  Cecilia  in  an  undertone. 

"  He  does  not  know  what  he  is  saying,"  replied  Fran- 
cis, "  he  is  too  little." 

"  Why,"  continued  Caroline,  "  does  not  your  nurse 
take  you  home?  " 

"  She  can't,  she  has  no  arms." 

The  children's  surprise  increased. 

"  How  then  can  she  carry  you  2  " 

"  I  get  on  her  back/ 

"  Do  you  sleep  with  her  ? " 

"  Oh  !  no,  I  could  not  do  that,"  said  the  child  smiling. 

"  Where  then  does  she  sleep  ?  Hasn't  she  a  bed  ? " 

The  child  began  to  laugh  as  he  answered. 

"  Oh !  no,  she  sleeps  on  straw." 

"  What  does  he  mean  "  said  Ernest,  "  let  us  ask  him  to 
take  us  to  the  house,  we  shall  see  his  nurse,  and  she  can 
explain  matters." 

"I  must  confess,  it  is  all  a  mystery  to  me,"  said 
Francis. 

"  Will  you  go  back  to  your  home,  my  little  one  ? " 
asked  Caroline. 

"  Yes,  but  not  all  alone  ;  I  am  afraid  of  the  black  men, 
grandma's  room  was  full  of  them." 


28  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  We  will  all  go  with  you,  you  must  show  us  the 
way." 

Caroline  re-mounted  her  donkey,  and  took  the  little 
boy  upon  her  lap.  He  showed  us  the  way,  and  in  five 
minutes  we  all  reached  the  cabin  of  mother  Thibaut,  who 
died  the  evening  previous  and  was  huried  that  morning. 
The  child  ran  to  the  house  and  called  out  "  Nurse ! 
Nurse!"  Immediately  a  goat  bounded  out  of  the  open 
stable,  and  darting  towards  the  child,  testified  its  joy  at 
his  return  by  a  thousand  gambols  and  caresses.  The 
child  likewise  fondled  it,  and  then  said  "  Suck  Nurse." 
The  goat  immediately  lay  down  on  the  ground,  the  little 
boy  stretched  himself  near  her,  and  began  to  suck  as  if 
he  had  neither  eaten  nor  drunk. 

"  There,  the  nurse  is  explained,"  said  Ernest,  at  last, 
"  What  shall  we  do  with  this  child  ? 

"We  have  nothing  to  do  with  him,  except  leave  him 
with  his  nurse,"  said  Francis. 

The  others  cried  out  with  indignation. 

"  It  would  be  wrong,"  answered  Caroline, "  to  abandon 
this  poor  little  one,  he  might  soon  die  for  want  of  care." 

"What  do  you  wish  to  do  with  him,"  said  Francis, 
"are  you  going  to  take  him  home  with  you  ?  " 

"  Certainly ;  I  shall  ask  mama  to  keep  him  at  the  house 
whilst  she  makes  inquiries  as  to  who  he  is,  and  whether 
he  has  any  relatives  or  not." 

"And  our  donkey  party,  are  we  to  give  that  up  and  all 
return  ?  " 

"  No,  Ernest  will  be  kind  enough  to  accompany  me, 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          31 

and  the  rest  of  you  can  continue  your  excursion,  there 
will  still  be  four,  so  you  can  well  do  without  Ernest  and 
me." 

"  She  is  right,"  said  Francis,  "  let  us  mount  and  con- 
tinue our  ride." 

And  they  departed,  leaving  the  kind  Caroline  with 
her  cousin  Ernest. 

"  How  fortunate  it  is  they  tried  to  tease  me  by  passing 
so  near  the  cemetery !  "  said  she,  "  but  for  that,  I  would 
not  have  heard  this  poor  child,  and  he  would  have  spent 
the  entire  night  on  the  cold,  damp  ground." 

It  was  I  whom  Ernest  mounted.  With  my  usual  intel- 
ligence, comprehending  that  we  must  reach  the  castle  as 
promptly  as  possible,  I  set  off  at  a  gallop,  my  comrade 
followed,  and  we  were  there  in  half  an  hour.  •  The  family 
was  startled  at  our  unexpectedly  early  return.  Caro- 
line recounted  her  adventure  with  the  child.  Her  mama 
was  puzzled  as  to  what  arrangements  could  be  made  for 
him,  when  the  porter's  wife  offered  to  raise  him  with  her 
son,  who  was  about  the  same  age.  The  offer  was  accepted. 
On  sending  to  the  village  to  make  inquiries  concern- 
ing his  name  and  parentage,  Caroline's  mama  learned 
that  his  father  had  been  dead  a  year,  his  mother  six 
months ;  the  child  had  been  living  with  a  wicked,  miserly 
old  grandmother,  who  had  just  died  the  day  before,  that 
following  the  coffin  to  the  cemetery,  he  had  been  forgot- 
ten and  left  there ;  moreover,  that  he  was  not  poor,  the 
grandmother  having  been  in  comfortable  circumstances. 
The  porter's  wife  raised  him  well,  and  he  became  a  fine 


32          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

fellow.  I  know  him,  his  name  is  John  Thibaut,  he  ia 
always  kind  to  animals,  which  proves  his  good  heart,  and 
he  is  very  fond  of  me,  which  proves  his  sense. 

The  good  goat  was  also  brought  to  the  porter's  and 
found  a  home  there. 


VI. 

THE  HIDING  PLACE. 

I  HAVE  already  said  that  I  was  happy,  but  my  happi- 
ness was  soon  to  end.  George's  father  was  a  soldier 
and  when  he  returned  to  his  country,  bringing  the  money 
his  dying  ca-ptain  had  left  him,  and  the  cross  given  him 
by  his  general,  he  bought  a  house  at  Mamers,  to  which 
he  removed  his  old  mother  and  little  son,  and  sold  me  to 
a  neighboring  farmer.  I  was  very  sad  at  leaving  my 
good,  old  mistress  and  my  little  master  George;  both 
had  been  kind  to  me  and  I  had  been  faithful  to  them. 

My  new  owner  was  not  unkind,  but  he  had  a  foolish 
fancy  for  making  everything  about  him  work,  and  myself 
among  the  number.  He  used  to  harness  me  to  a  little 
cart  and  make  me  haul  earth,  manure,  apples,  wood, 
I  commenced  to  grow  lazy,  I  did  not  like  to  be  harnessed, 
and  market  day  1  especially  detested,  not  that  they 
loaded  me  too  heavily  or  beat  me,  but  because  I  had  to 
stand  without  eating  from  the  morning,  till  three  or  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  When  the  heat  was  great,  1 


Cadichon's  master  says  good-by  to  his  friends.— (Page  35.) 

(83) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          35 

nearly  died  of  thirst,  waiting  till  everything  was  sold, 
till  my  master  had  received  his  money  and  said  good  day 
to  his  friends,  with  whom  he  must  also  take  a  glass. 

I  was  not  very  good  in  those  days  ;  I  wanted  fair  treat- 
ment, if  denied  me  I  sought  revenge.  Here  is  one  of  my 
tricks,  from  which  you  will  perceive  not  only  that  don- 
keys are  not  stupid,  but  also  that  I  had  become  very  bad. 

On  market  day  the  family  arose  earlier  than  usual — • 
the  vegetables  were  to  be  gathered,  the  butter  churned, 
the  eggs  collected.  In  summer,  sleeping  out-doors  in  a 
large  meadow,  I  saw  and  heard  these  preparations,  and 
knew  that  at  ten  o'clock,  they  would  come  to  har- 
ness me  to  the  little  cart  tilled  with  all  their  market- 
able produce.  I  have  already  said  how  tiresome  and  try- 
ing this  market  was  to  me,  so  having  noticed  in  the 
meadow  a  large  ditJi  tilled  with  briers  and  brambles, 
here  I  determined  if  possible,  to  conceal  myself  in  such 
a  manner  that  no  one  could  find  me  at  the  moment  of 
departure.  Market  day  arrived ;  as  soon  as  I  saw  the 
farm  folks  beginning  to  move  about,  I  very  gently  de- 
scended into  the  ditch,  and  there  buried  myself  so  com- 
pletely, that  discovery  was  almost  impossible.  I  had  been 
there  an  hour  hid  away  amongst  the  briers,  when  I  heard 
the  boy  calling  me,  running  in  every  direction  to  tind  me, 
and  at  last  returning  to  the  farm-house.  Doubtless  he 
had  apprised  the  master  of  my  disappearance,  for  in  a 
few  minutes  I  heard  the  farmer's  voice  calling  his  wife 
and  all  the  other  farm  folks  to  come  help  find  me. 

"He  must  have  got  through  the  hedge,"  said  one. 


36          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  How  conld  he  have  got  through,  there  is  no  break 
anywhere,"  replied  the  other. 

"  Some  one  has  left  the  gate  open,"  said  the  master. 
"  Run  into  the  fields  boys,  he  cannot  be  far ;  go  quick, 
and  bring  him,  for  time  passes,  and  we  shall  be  too  late." 

Every  one  started  off  into  the  fields  or  the  woods,  run- 
ning and  calling  me.  I  laughed  to  myself  down  in  the 
hole,  and  took  good  care  not  to  make  my  appearance. 
After  the  lapse  of  an  hour,  they  all  returned  breathless 
And  panting,  from  a  fruitless  search. 

The  master  having  sworn  at  me,  and  said  no  doubt  I 
had  been  taken,  put  one  of  his  horses  to  the  cart,  and 
drove  off  in  a  very  bad  humor.  When  I  saw  that  all 
returned  to  their  work,  and  no  one  could  see  me,  lifting 
up  my  head  very  cautiously,  I  looked  around.  Finding 
myself  alone,  I  suddenly  emerged  from  the  ditch,  and 
running  to  the  other  end  of  the  field,  to  mislead  their 
suspicions  as  to  where  I  had  been,  I  began  to  bray  with 
all  my  strength. 

At  this  noise  every  one  on  the  farm  ran. 

"  Here  he  is  come  back,"  cried  the  shepherd. 

"  Which  way  did  he  come  ? "  said  the  mistress. 

"  Which  way  did  he  go  ? "  replied  the  wagoner. 

In  my  joy  at  having  escaped  the  market,  I  ran  to 
them.  They  were  delighted  to  see  me,  caressed  me,  said 
I  was  a  good  creature  to  have  escaped  from  the  thieves, 
and  paid  me  so  many  compliments  that  I  was  ashamed, 
knowing  full  well  how  much  more  deserving  I  was  of  the 
stick  than  caresses.  They  let  me  graze  quietly,  and  I 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.  37 

should  have  passed  a  charming  day,  had  not  my  con- 
science reproached  me  for  having  deceived  my  poor 
master. 

When  the  farmer  came  home  and  learned  of  my  re- 
turn, he  was  well  pleased,  but  very  much  surprised. 
Next  day  he  went  all  around  the  meadow,  and  carefully 
repaired  even  the  slightest  breach  in  the  hedge. 

"  The  donkey  will  be  very  smart  to  escape  now,"  said 
he,  on  finishing.  I  have  stopped  even  the  smallest  holes 
with  stakes  and  brambles ;  there  is  not  room  enough  for 
a  cat  to  get  through." 

The  week  passed  quietly,  my  adventure  was  no  longer 
thought  of.  But  the  next  market  day  I  repeated  the 
wicked  trick,  and  again  concealed  myself  in  the  ditch,  for 
so  doing  saved  me  so  much  fatigue  and  weariness.  As  be- 
fore, they  sought  me  every  where ;  their  astonishment  was 
greater  than  ever,  they  were  now  fully  convinced  that  a 
skillful  thief  had  carried  me  off  by  letting  me  through 
the  gate. 

"  This  time,"  said  my  master  sadly,  "  he  is  certainly 
lost.  He  will  not  be  able  to  escape  again,  and  even  if  he 
should,  he  could  not  get  into  the  meadow,  for  I  have  re- 
paired the  breaches  in  the  hedge  too  carefully." 

He  went  off  sighing,  and  one  of  the  horses  again  took 
my  place  in  the  cart.  As  on  the  preceding  occasion,  I 
emerged  from  my  hiding  place  when  everybody  had  got 
out  of  the  way,  but  I  was  prudent  enough  not  to  an- 
nounce my  appearance  with  a  hi  han !  as  before. 

When  they  found  me  quietly  eating  grass  in  the  field, 

4 


38          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

and  my  master  learned  that  I  had  returned  a  short  time 
after  his  departure,  I  saw  that  they  had  suspected  me  of 
some  trick,  for  no  one  paid  me  any  compliments,  every- 
one eyed  me  with  distrust,  and  I  fully  perceived  that 
they  watched  me  more  closely  than  before.  I  laughed 
in  my  sleeve  at  them  and  said  to  myself. 

"  Good  friends,  you  will  be  very  sharp  if  you  discover 
the  trick  I  have  played  on  you  ;  I  am  smarter  than  you, 
and  I  intend  to  keep  the  game  up." 

So  I  concealed  myself  a  third  time,  very  well  pleased 
•with  my  cunning.  'But  scarcely  was  I  stowed  away  in 
the  ditch,  ere  I  heard  the  furious  barking  of  the  big  watch 
dog,  and  the  voice  of  my  master,  saying : 

"  Seize  him  Caesar,  seize  him ;  go  down  into  the  ditch, 
bite  his  legs,  bring  him !  bravo  my  dog !  seize  him,  seize 
him  ! " 

Caesar  indeed  darted  down,  he  bit  my  legs,  my  body, 
and  he  would  have  devoured  me,  had  I  not  decided  to 
leave  that  ditch.  I  was  about  to  run  towards  the  hedge, 
and  try  forcing  a  passage  through,  when  the  farmer  who 
was  waiting  for  me,  threw  a  slip-knot  over  my  head  and 
brought  me  to  a  stand.  He  was  armed  with  a  whip  and 
he  made  me  feel  it  most  sensibly ;  the  dog  continued  to 
bite,  the  master  to  beat  me,  and  I  repented  bitterly  of 
my  idleness.  At  last  the  farmer  called  Caesar  off,  put 
up  his  whip,  exchanged  the  slip  knot  around  my  neck  for 
a  halter,  and  led  me  all  mortified  and  beaten  unmerci- 
fully, to  the  little  cart  which  was  in  readiness  for  me. 

I  learned  afterwards  that  one  of  the  children,  who  had 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          39 

been  stationed  near  the  gate,  to  open  it  if  I  returned, 
had  perceived  me  coming  out  of  the  ditch,  and  had  car- 
ried the  news  to  his  father.  The  little  traitor ! 

For  a  long  time  after,  until  my  troubles  and  sad  expe- 
rience had  taught  me  better,  I  wished  all  manner  of  evil 
to  him. 

From  that  day  1  was  treated  more  severely.  They 
wished  to  keep  me  shut  up,  but  I  found  means  of  open- 
ing all  the  fastenings  with  my  teeth ;  if  a  latch,  I  lifted 
it ;  if  a  button,  I  turned  it ;  if  a  bolt,  I  pushed  it  aside. 
I  went  just  where  I  pleased.  The  farmer  swore,  scolded 
and  beat  me ;  he  became  harder  on  me,  and  I  got  to  be 
worse  and  worse  to  manage.  I  felt  that  I  had  brought 
all  this  unhappiness  on  myself.  I  compared  my  present 
miserable  life  with  that  I  had  formerly  led  among  the 
same  people  ;  but  instead  of  reforming  me,  the  reflexion 
made  me  only  more  head-strong  and  vicious.  One  day  I 
went  into  the  kitchen  garden  and  eat  all  the  salad; 
another  day  I  knocked  down  the  little  boy  who  had 
betrayed  me ;  another  time,  I  drank  a  tub  of  cream  they 
had  placed  out  to  be  churned.  I  tramped  on  their 
chickens  and  young  turkeys,  I  bit  their  pigs ;  in  fine,  I 
got  so  unmanageable  that  the  mistress  at  last  asked  her 
husband  to  sell  me  at  the  fair  at  Mamers,  which  was  to 
take  place  in  fifteen  days.  I  had  become  a  very  thin, 
miserable  looking  object,  by  reason  of  blows  and  poor 
nourishment.  But  now,  wishing  to  put  me  in  a  good 
condition,  (as  the  farmers  say,)  that  I  might  sell  to  advan- 
tage, everyone  on  the  farm  was  forbidden  to  maltreat 


40          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

me.  I  was  released  from  work  and  was  well  fed.  Very 
happy  indeed  was  I  during  those  fifteen  days.  My  mas- 
ter, at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  took  me  to  the  fair 
and  sold  me  for  a  hundred  francs.  I  longed  to  give  him 
a  good  bite  at  parting,  but  fearing  such  an  act  might 
make  a  bad  impression  on  my  new  owner,  I  contented 
myself  with  turning  my  back  upon  him  with  a  gesture 
of  contempt. 


VII. 

THE  LOCKET. 

I  HAD  been  bought  by  the  parents  of  a  delicate  little 
girl,  aged  about  twelve  years,  who  living  in  the  country 
and  having  no  friends  of  her  own  age,  was  greatly  in 
need  of  diversion,  for  the  father  devoted  very  little  time 
to  her,  and  the  mother,  though  fond  of  her  child,  was  so 
jealous,  she  could  not  bear  to  see  her  attached  to  anything 
but  herself,  not  even  animals.  The  physician  having  pre- 
scribed recreation  of  some  kind,  the  mother  decided  upon 
donkey  rides.  My  little  mistress  was  named  Pauline; 
she  was  a  very  kind,  gentle,  pretty  child,  of  a  sad,  quiet 
disposition.  She  was  often  sick,  but  every  day  when  not 
unwell,  she  went  riding,  and  it  was  my  delight  to  show 
her  the  prettiest  paths  and  woods  I  knew.  At  first, 
we  were  always  accompanied  by  a  domestic,  but  when 
everyone  saw  what  good  care  I  took  of  her,  we  were 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          41 

allowed  to  go  alone.  It  was  she  who  called  me  Cadichon, 
which  name  I  have  ever  retained. 

"  Go,  take  a  stroll  with  Cadichon,"  the  father  would 
say,  "  there  is  no  danger  with  a  donkey  like  that,  he  has 
the  intelligence  of  a  man,  and  he  will  always  bring  you 
safe  home." 

So  we  would  go  out  together.  "When  my  little  mis- 
tress got  tired  of  walking,  I  used  to  stand  near  a  slight 
elevation,  or  rather  descend  into  a  hollow,  that  she  might 
mount  the  more  easily.  I  would  also  lead  her  up  to  hazel 
trees  filled  with  nuts,  and  stop  to  let  her  gather  them. 
She  loved  me  much,  and  expressed  it  by  kind  attentions 
and  caresses.  When  bad  weather  prevented  our  prome- 
nades, she  would  come  to  the  stable,  bringing  me  bread, 
fresh  grass,  salad  leaves,  carrots ;  she  would  stay  a  long 
time,  a  very  long  time;  and  talking  to  me,  though  believ- 
ing that  I  did  not  understand  her,  she  would  tell  me  all 
her  little  troubles,  often  with  tears. 

"  Oh !  my  poor  Cadichon,"  she  would  say,  "  you  are 
a  donkey,  and  you  cannot  understand  me,  yet  you  are 
my  only  friend,  for  it  is  only  to  you  I  can  say  all  I  think. 
Mama  loves  me,  but  she  is  jealous,  she  wants  me  to  love 
nothing  but  herself.  I  have  no  childish  friends,  and  I 
am  so  lonesome." 

And  then  she  would  weep  and  caress  me.  I  loved  her 
too,  and  I  pitied  the  poor  little  thing.  When  she  was 
near  me,  I  was  very  careful  not  to  move,  for  fear  of 
tramping  on  her. 


42          THE  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

One  day  she  came  running  towards  me  in  the  greatest 
delight. 

"Cadichon,  Cadichon,"  she  cried,"  mama  has  given 
me  a  locket  with  her  hair ;  I  am  going  to  mix  some  of 
yours  with  it,  for  you  too  are  dear  to  me,  and  I  shall  then 
have  the  hair  of  the  two  I  love  best  in  the  world." 

She  cut  off  a  little  of  my  mane  and  put  it  in  the 
locket  with  her  mother's  hair. 

It  made  me  happy  to  see  how  much  Pauline  loved  me 
and  I  was  proud  of  having  my  hair  in  a  locket,  but  I 
must  confess  the  effect  was  not  very  pretty  ;  coarse,  stiff 
and  grey  as  my  mane  was,  it  made  her  mothers  tress  look 
frightful.  Pauline  never  perceived  this,  and  she  was 
turning  her  locket  in  every  direction,  and  admiring  it 
extravagantly,  when  her  mother  entered. 

"What  are  you  looking  at,"  said  the  mother. 

"  My  locket  mama,"  answered  Pauline  concealing  it 
somewhat. 

"  Why  did  you  bring  it  here  ? " 

«'  To  show  it  to  Cadichon." 

"  What  foolishness !  Indeed  Pauline,  you  are  losing 
your  head  with  Cadichon !  as  if  he  could  understand 
anything  about  a  locket  with  hair !  " 

"  I  assure  you,  mama,  he  understands  very  well,  he 
licked  my  hand  when — when — " 

Here  Pauline  blushed  and  was  silent. 

"  Well,  why  do  you  not  finish  2  What  made  Cadichon 
lick  your  hand  \  " 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEr.  43 

"  Mama,  I  would  rather  not  tell  you,  I  am  afraid  you 
will  scold  me,"  said  Pauline,  much  embarrassed. 

"  \V  hat  is  it,  at  once  ?  "  replied  her  mother  impatiently. 
"  Speak,  what  nonsense  have  you  been  at  now  ?  " 

"  It  is  not  nonsense,  mama,  on  the  contrary — " 

"  Then  why  are  you  afraid  to  tell  me  ?  I  suppose  you 
have  been  giving  Cadichon  oats  to  make  him  sick." 

"  No,  I  have  given  him  nothing,  on  the  contrary — " 

"  On  the  contrary  ?  You  provoke  me,  Pauline — now 
listen  to  me,  I  wish  to  know  what  you  have  been  doing 
here  for  the  last  hour  nearly." 

And  indeed  the  arrangement  of  my  hair  in  the  locket 
had  been  rather  a  long  process ;  it  was  necessary  to  take 
off  the  paper  back  of  the  locket,  remove  the  glass,  insert 
the  memento  of  myself,  and  then  put  the  whole  together 
again. 

Pauline  still  hesitated,  at  last,  she  said  in  a  very  low 
tone  and  with  great  embarrassment. 

"  I  cut  a  little  of  Cadichon's  mane  to — " 

"  To  what  ?  "  said  her  mother  impatiently, "  finish  now, 
you  cut  it  for  what  ?  " 

"  To  put  it  in  the  locket,"  was  the  very  low  answer. 

"  In  what  locket  ?  "  said  her  mother  angrily. 

"  In  the  one  you  gave  me." 

"In  that  I  gave  you  with  my  hair!"  replied  the 
mother  with  increasing  anger.  And  what  have  you  done 
with  my  hair  ?  " 

"  It  is  still  there,  see,"  said  poor  Pauline,  displaying 
the  locket. 


44  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  My  hair  mixed  with  a  donkey's  mane  ! "  exclaimed 
the  mother  in  a  rage.  "Ah!  it  is  too  much!  You  do 
not  deserve  the  present  I  gave  you !  To  class  me  with  a 
donkey  !  To  express  the  same  affection  for  a  donkey  as 
forme!" 

And  snatching  the  locket  from  the  hands  of  the  unfor- 
tunate, stupefied  Pauline,  she  dashed  it  to  the  ground, 


trampled  it  under  foot  and  broke  it  into  a  thousand 
pieces.  Then  without  noticing  her  daughter,  she  left  the 
stable,  slamming  the  door  violently. 

Pauline  surprised  and  frightened  at  this  outburst  of 
temper,  was  motionless  an  instant,  then  breaking  into 
Bobs,  and  throwing  herself  upon  my  neck,  she  exclaimed 
passionately: 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY.  45 

"  Cadichon,  Cadichon,  you  see  how  I  am  treated ! 
They  do  not  want  me  to  love  you,  but  I  will  love  you  in 
epite  of  them,  and  more  than  them,  because  you  are  good 
to  me — you  never  scold  me,  you  never  grieve  me,  and 
you  always  try  to  amuse  me  in  our  promenades.  Alas! 
Cadichon,  how  unfortunate  that  you  can  neither  under- 
stand me  nor  talk  to  me.  Oh  !  what  I  would  tell  you  ! " 

Pauline  was  silent,  she  threw  herself  on  the  ground 
and  continued  to  weep  gently.  I  was  touched  arid  dis- 
tressed at  her  grief,  but  I  could  not  console  her  or  even 
let  her  know  that  I  understood  her.  1  felt  enraged  at 
this  mother,  who  through  stupid  or  excessive  affection, 
could  render  her  child  so  unhappy.  Had  it  been  in  my 
power,  I  would  have  told  her  of  the  grief  she  caused 
Pauline,  and  the  injury  it  did  her  already  delicate  health, 
but  Alas !  I  could  not  speak.  I  could  do  nothing  but 
look  sadly  on  at  the  poor  child's  flowing  tears. 

Scarcely  a  quarter  of  an  hour  had  elapsed  since  her 
mother's  leaving  the  stable,  when  a  servant  opened  the 
door  and  called  Pauline. 

"  Madamoiselle,"  said  she,-"  your  mama  has  sent  for 
you,  she  does  not  wish  you  to  stay  in  the  stable  with 
Cadichon,  or  even  to  come  here  at  all." 

"  Cadichon,  my  poor  Cadichon  !  "  exclaimed  Pauline, 
"  they  do  not  wish  me  to  see  you  any  more !  " 

"  Only  when  you  go  out  riding,  Mademoiselle,  your 
mama  says,  the  place  for  you  is  in  the  parlor,  not  in  the 
Btable" 

Pauline  made  no  answer ;  she  knew  her  mother  exacted 


46          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

obedience,  but  embracing  me  again,  and  I  felt  her  tears 
on  my  neck  as  she  did  so,  she  left  the  stable  to  return  no 
more. 

From  that  time  Pauline  became  sadder  and  more  deli- 
cate, she  coughed,  she  grew  pale  and  thin.  The  bad 
weather  rendered  our  promenades  shorter  and  less  fre- 
quent. When  we  did  go  however,  I  was  brought  up  to 
the  castle  steps,  Pauline  mounted  without  saying  one 
word  to  me,  or  taking  any  notice  of  me,  bnt  as  soon  as 
we  were  out  of  sight,  she  jumped  off,  caressed  me,  and 
relieved  her  heart  by  recounting  her  daily  troubles  and 
griefs,  though  still  thinking  I  could  not  understand  her. 
It  was  thus  I  learned  her  mama's  continued  displeasure 
since  that  affair  of  the  locket,  how  Pauline's  life  was 
sadder  and  more  irksome  than  ever,  and  how  the  malady 
from  which  she  suffered  was  becoming  graver  every  day. 


VIIL 

THE    FIRE. 

JUST  as  I  had  gone  to  sleep  one  evening,  I  was  awakened 
by  cries  of  "  fire !  fire  !  "  Startled  and  terrified  1  endeav- 
ored to  rid  myself  of  the  leather  strap  that  held  me  fast, 
but  in  vain  did  I  pull  at  it,  and  roll  on  the  ground,  the 
strap  would  not  break.  At  last  the  happy  idea  occurred 
to  me  of  cutting  it  with  my  teeth,  and  this  I  succeeded 
in  doing  after  several  efforts.  My  poor  stable  was  lighted 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  4:7 

up  with  the  reflexion  of  the  fire ;  the  cries,  the  noise 
increased ;  I  heard  the  lamentations  of  the  servants,  the 
crash  of  falling  walls,  the  giving  way  of  floors,  the  roar- 
ing of  flames  ;  the  smoke  had  already  reached  my  stable, 
and  no  one  thought  of  me,  no  one  had  had  charity  enough 
just  to  open  my  door  and  let  me  out.  The  flames 
increased  in  violence,  already  I  began  to  experience  a 
feeling  of  great  heat  and  suffocation. 

"  It  is  all  over  for  me,"  said  I, "  I  am  condemned  to  be 
burned  alive  !  what  a  frightful  death  1  Oh  !  Pauline,  my 
dear  mistress,  you  have  forgotten  your  poor  Cadichon ! " 

Scarcely  had  I,  not  pronounced,  but  thought  these . 
words,  when  my  door  was  opened  violently,  and  I  heard 
the  terrified  voice  of  Pauline  calling  me.  Happy  at 
being  saved,  I  darted  towards  her,  and  we  were  just  on 
the  threshold,  when  a  frightful  crash  made  us  recoil.  A 
building  directly  opposite  my  stable  had  tumbled  down, 
and  every  passage  was  choked  up  with  the  ruins;  my 
poor  mistress  must  now  perish  for  having  attempted  to 
save  me  .1  We  were  nearly  suffocated  with  the  smoke,  the 
dust  of  the  fallen  building,  and  the  heat.  Pauline 
dropped  down  beside  me.  Suddenly,  I  took  a  dangerous 
resolution,  but  the  only  one  that  could  save  us.  Seizing 
my  little  mistress's  dress  in  my  teeth,  she  being  partly 
unconscious  from  fright,  I  darted  across  the  burning 
beams  that  strewed  the  ground.  Being  fortunate  enough 
to  get  through  without  her  clothing  taking  fire,  I  now 
stopped  to  see  whither  I  must  direct  my  steps ;  every- 
thing around  us  was  in  flames.  Discouraged  and  almost 


48  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

in  despair,  I  was  going  to  lay  Pauline,  now  utterly  uncon- 
scious, on  the  ground,  when  perceiving  an  open  cave ;  I 
rushed  in,  (knowing  full  well  that  in  one  of  these  vaults 
under  the  castle  we  were  in  absolute  safety,)  and  I  laid 
Pauline  near  a  tub  of  water,  so  that  she  could  bathe  her 
forehead  and  temples  on  awaking  from  her  swoon.  It  did 
not  last  very  long,  arid  when  she  awoke  to  consciousness 
and  found  herself  out  of  danger,  she  threw  herself  upon  her 
knees,  and  in  a  touching  prayer  thanked  God  for  having 
BO  mercifully  preserved  her.  Then,  after  thanking  me 
with  a  tenderness  and  gratitude  quite  affecting,  she  drank 
a  few  mouthfuls  of  water  from  the  tub  and  listened. 
The  fire  continued  its  ravages,  everything  was  burning; 
we  still  heard  a  few  voices,  but  so  indistinctly  that  we 
could  not  recognize  them. 

"  Poor  mama  and  papa!  "  said  Pauline,  "  they  think  I 
have  perished  in  disobeying  them,  by  going  to  Cadichon's 
rescue.  We  must  now  wait  till  the  fire  is  extinguished. 
No  doubt,  we  shall  spend  the  night  in  the  vault.  "  Good 
Cadichon !  "  she  added,  "  I  owe  my  life  to  yon." 

She  said  no  more,  but  took  her  seat  on  an  upturned 
chest,  and  leaning  her  head  upon  an  empty  barrel,  was 
soon  asleep.  I  felt  tired  and  hungry,  so  I  drank  from 
the  tub,  and  stretching  myself  out  near  the  door,  I  was  not 
long  in  following  her  example. 

I  awoke  very  early.  Pauline  still  slept.  I  arose  softly 
and  went  to  the  door,  which  1  opened  ;  everything  was 
burned  and  the  flames  extinguished,  and  I  saw  that  one 
could  easily  pick  his  way  through  the  ruins  to  the  castle 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY.  49 

yard,  I  gave  a  light  hi !  han  !  to  awaken  my  mistress, 
who  opened  her  eyes,  and  seeing  me  near  the  door,  she 
ran  towards  it  and  gazed  around  her. 

"  All  burned  up !  all  gone !  "  said  she  sadly,  "  I  shall 
never  see  the  castle  any  more.  I  shall  be  dead  before  it 
is  rebuilt,  I  feel  it;  I  am  weak  and  sick,  very  sick, 
although  mama  says — 

"  Come,  my  Cadichon,"  she  continued  after  remaining 
pensive  and  motionless  for  a  few  minutes,  "  come,  let  us 
go  now,  I  must  find  mama  and  papa  to  console  them, 
they  think  me  dead." 

She  lightly  threaded  her  way  among  the  fallen  stones, 
the  crumbled  walls,  the  still  smoking  beams.  I  followed 
her,  and  we  soon  reached  the  lawn,  where  she  got  on  my 
back.  Directing  my  steps  towards  the  village,  we  lost 
no  time  in  finding  the  house  where  her  parents  had  taken 
refuge.  Believing  their  child  lost,  they  were  plunged  in 
the  deepest  affliction. 

At  sight  of  her,  they  uttered  an  exclamation  of  joy 
and  rushed  out  to  clasp  her  in  their  arms.  She  recounted 
to  them  with  what  intelligence  and  courage  1  had  saved 
her  life;  but  instead  of  thanking  and  caressing  me,  the 
mother  surveyed  me  with  an  air  of  indifference,  and  the 
father  never  deigned  to  look  at  me  at  all. 

"  He  nearly  caused  your  death,  my  poor  child,"  said 
the  mother.  "  If  you  had  not  been  so  foolish  as  to  think 
of  opening  the  stable,  and  setting  him  at  liberty,  your 
father  and  1  would  not  have  passed  such  a  night  of  deso- 
lation." 

5 


50  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

u  But,"  said  Pauline  earnestly,  "  it  is  he  who--" 

"  Hush,  hush,"  replied  the  mother  interrupting  her, 
"  say  no  more  to  me  about  this  animal  which  I  detest, 
for  he  has  almost  caused  your  death." 

Pauline  sighed,  looked  sorrowfully  at  me  and  was 
silent. 

From  that  day  I  never  saw  her  more.  The  terrible 
fright,  the  fatigue  of  a  night  passed  out  of  bed,  but  espe- 
cially the  low  temperature  of  the  vault,  all  increased  the 
disease  from  which  she  had  suffered  a  long  time.  In  the 
morning  she  was  taken  with  a  fever  that  never  left  her. 
The  chill  of  the  preceding  night  finished  what  sadness 
and  weariness  had  commenced ;  her  chest  already  weak, 
could  not  stand  the  shock,  and  she  died  at  the  end  of  a 
month,  neither  regretting  life  nor  fearing  death.  She 
often  spoke  of  me  and  called  me  in  her  delirium.  No 
one  thought  of  me  now.  I  ate  what  I  could  find,  and  I 
slept  unsheltered  in  cold  and  rain.  "When  I  saw  the 
coffin  which  contained  the  body  of  my  poor,  little  mis- 
tress carried  out  of  the  house,  my  grief  was  so  intense 
that  I  left  that  part  of  the  country,  and  have  never  been 
there  since. 


Ill 


Sho  was  taken  with  a  fever.— (Fa^e  50.) 


IX. 

THE  DONKEY  RACE. 

I  LIVED  miserably  on  account  of  the  season,  for  the 
home  I  had  selected  was  in  a  forest  where  I  could  scarcely 
find  the  wherewith  to  keep  me  from  dying  of  hunger  and 
thirst.  When  the  streams  were  frozen  I  eat  snow,  my 
only  nourishment  was  got  by  nibbling  thistles,  my  only 
shelter  the  pines.  How  often  did  I  not  compare  my 
present  sad  existence  with  that  I  had  led  at  my  good 
master  George's,  and  even  at  the  farmer's  to  whom  he 
had  sold  me,  until  I  gave  myself  up  to  idleness,  mischief 
and  revenge.  However,  there  were  no  means  of  improv- 
ing my  miserable  condition,  for  I  was  determined  to 
remain  free,  and  master  of  my  actions.  Sometimes,  by 
way  of  recreation,  I  went  to  the  outskirts  of  a  village 
very  near  the  forest,  to  find  out  what  was  going  on  in  the 
world.  One  day,  it  was  Springtime  (and  the  fine  weather 
had  set  in,)  I  was  surprised  to  notice  that  something 
extraordinary  was  going  on,  the  village  wore  a  festive 
air,  people  went  in  throngs,  every  one  arrayed  in  his  or 
her  holiday  garments,  and  what  was  still  more  astonish- 
ing, all  the  donkeys  of  a  neighboring  county  were  col- 
lected there,  curried  and  rubbed,  carrying  neither  panier 

5*  (53) 


54          THE  ADVENTUEES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

nor  saddle,  some  even  having  flowers  on  their  head  or 
around  their  neck,  and  every  one  accompanied  by  a 
master,  leading  him  by  a  bridle. 

"  This  is  singular,"  thought  I,  u  there  is  no  fair  going 
on  to  day !  What  can  all  my  comrades  be  doing  here, 
curried  and  decorated?  And  how  fat  they  are!  they 
have  certainly  been  well  fed  this  winter !  " 

As  I  mentally  ejaculated  these  words,  I  looked  at 
myself;  my  back,  my  belly,  my  crest  were  thin  and  rough, 
and  the  hair  all  over  my  body  standing  awry,  but  I  felt 
strong  and  vigorous. 


"  I  would  rather  be  homely,"  thought  I,  "  but  healthy 
and  active ;  none  of  my  comrades  here,  so  handsome, 
fat  and  well  cared  for,  could  support  the  fatiques  and 
privations  I  have  endured  all  winter."  As  I  drew  near 
to  ascertain  the  meaning  of  this  re-union  of  donkeys, 
one  of  the  boys  in  charge  of  them,  perceiving  me,  began 
to  laugh. 

"  Come  boys,  come  see  the  beautiful  donkey  that  has 
just  arrived !  How  well  curried  he  is  ! "  cried  he. 

"And  well  fed  and  cared  for,"  said  another.  "  Has  he 
come  for  the  race  ? " 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          55 

"  If  he  has,  let  him  ran,"  cried  a  third,  "  there  is  no 
danger  of  his  gaining  the  prize." 

A  general  laugh  followed  these  words.  Though  dis- 
pleased at  the  boys'  stupid  jokes,  my  vexation  was  tem- 
pered by  the  satisfaction  of  having  learned  what  all  the 
commotion  meant.  There  was  to  be  a  race,  but  when  or 
how?  Wishing  to  know  more,  I  continued  to  listen, 
though  apparently  understanding  nothing  of  what  was 
said. 

"  Are  they  going  to  start  soon  ? "  inquired  one  of  the 
young  men. 

"  I  do  not  know,  they  are  waiting  for  the  Mayor." 

"  Where  is  the  race  course  ?  "  said  a  good  woman  who 
had  just  arrived. 

"  In  the  big  meadow  by  the  mill,  mother  Tranchet," 
answered  John. 

"  How  many  donkeys  are  there  here  now  ?  " 

"  There  are  sixteen  not  counting  you,  mother  Tran- 
chet." A  burst  of  laughter  followed  this  jest. 

"Ah !  you  are  a  scamp ! "  said  mother  Tranchet  laugh- 
ing, "  and  what  does  the  winner  of  the  race  get  ? " 

"  Honor  first,  and  a  silver  watch  next." 

"  I  would  be  well  pleased  to  be  a  donkey  for  the  sake 
of  gaining  the  watch ;  I  have  never  had  the  money  to 
buy  a  watch." 

**  Well,  if  you  had  brought  a  donkey  you  would  have 
to  run — the  chance." 

And  all  laughed  their  heartiest. 

Where  do  you  suppose  I  would  get  a  donkey?     Have 


56  TUB  ADVENTUKES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

I  ever  had  the  means  to  buy  one,  or  to  feed  one  after  buy- 
ing it." 

This  good  woman  pleased  me  greatly  she  had  such  a 
cheerful,  lively  air;  and  the  idea  struck  me  of  trying  to 
win  her  the  watch.  I  was  accustomed  to  running,  for 
every  day  in  the  woods  I  took  long  runs  to  warm  myself, 
and  I  had  formerly  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  running  as 
long  and  as  swiftly  as  a  horse. 

"  Come,"  said  I  to  myself,  "  let's  try ;  if  I  do  not  win, 
I  lose  nothing;  if  I  do  win,  I  shall  gain  a  watch  for 
mother  Tranchet,  who  greatly  desires  it." 

Starting  off  at  a  little  trot,  I  took  my  place  beside  the 
last  mule,  and  assuming  a  proud  air  I  began  to  bray 
vigorously. 

"  Stop !  stop ! "  exclaimed  Andrew,  "  will  you  stop  that 
music?  Get  away  donkey,  you  are  without  a  master, 
you  are  too  badly  curried,  you  can't  run." 

I  held  my  peace,  but  did  not  budge.  Some  laughed, 
some  were  vexed,  and  they  were  beginning  to  contend 
among  themselves,  when  mother  Tranchet  exclaimed : 

"  Well,  if  he  has  no  master,  he  is  going  to  have  a  mis- 
tress; I  recognize  him  now.  It  is  Cadichon,  poor  Miss 
Pauline's  donkey ;  they  drove  him  off  when  the  poor, 
little  thing  was  no  longer  there  to  protect  him,  and  I 
firmly  believe  he  has  lived  all  winter  in  the  woods,  for 
no  one  has  seen  him  since.  I  take  him  to-day  into  my 
service ;  he  is  going  to  run  for  me." 

"  It  is  Cadichon  ! "  cried  several  in  various  directions. 
"  1  have  heard  of  this  famous  Cadichon." 


"Here  is  my  money."- (Page  59.) 


<67> 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          59 

"  But  mother  Tranchet,"  said  John,  "  if  he  is  going  to 
run  for  you,  you  must  drop  a  silver  piece  of  fifty  centimes 
in  the  Mayor's  bag,  just  like  everybody  else." 

"  That  shall  not  hinder  me,  my  children,  here  is  my 
money,"  she  added,  untying  a  knot  in  her  handkerchief, 
"  but  don't  ask  any  more,  for  I  hav'nt  it." 

"Ah  well !  if  your  donkey  wins  you  will  not  loose  any- 
thing, for  all  the  village  has  contributed  to  this  bag,  it 
contains  more  than  a  hundred  francs." 

I  approached  mother  Tranchet,  and  I  whirled  on  my 
heel,  leaped  and  kicked  with  such  facility,  that  the  boys 
began  to  fear  I  might  win  the  day. 

"  Listen,  John,"  said  Andrew  in  an  undertone,  "you 
were  wrong  to  let  mother  Tranchet  contribute  to  the  bag. 
That  gives  her  a  right  to  let  Cadichon  run,  and  he  has 
such  a  nimble  air,  I  fear  he  may  win  the  watch  and 
money." 

"Ah  bah !  how  silly  you  are !  Don't  you  see  there  what 
a  figure  this  poor  Cadichon  cuts !  He  is  going  to  make  us 
laugh,  he'll  not  go  far  indeed." 

"  I  can't  say,  suppose  I  coax  him  off  with  some  oats." 

"And  what  of  mother  Tranchet's  money?" 

"  Her  donkey  gone,  the  money  would  be  returned  to 
her." 

"  I  agree ;  Cadichon  is  no  more  to  her,  than  to  you  or 
me.  Get  some  oats  and  try  to  coax  him  off  without 
mother  Tranchet's  knowledge." 

I  had  heard  and  understood  all ;  so  when  Andrew 
returned  with  the  oats  in  his  apron,  instead  of  approaching 


60          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

him,  I  drew  near  mother  Tranchet,  who  was  talking  with 
her  friends.  Andrew  followed ;  John  thinking  I  had 
not  seen  seen  the  oats,  took  me  by  the  ears  and  made  me 
turn  my  head.  Still  I  would  not  budge,  notwithstand- 
ing my  longing  to  taste  such  a  luxury.  Andrew  began 
to  push,  John,  to  pull  me,  and  I  to  bray  in  my  loudest 
voice.  Mother  Tranchet  turned,  and  seeing  themanosuvres 
of  Andrew  and  John : 

"  Boys,"  said  she,  you  are  not  doing  right  there.  Since 
you  made  me  deposit  my  silver  piece  in  the  bag,  you 
must  not  take  Cadichon  off.  It  appears  to  me  that  you 
are  afraid  of  hinr" 

"Afraid !  afraid  of  a  dirty  donkey  like  that !  Oh !  no, 
we  have  no  fears  of  him,"  said  Andrew. 

"  Then  why  would  you  try  to  lead  him  off? " 

"  To  give  him  some  oats." 

"Ah !  that's  a  different  thing !  "  replied  mother  Tran- 
chet in  a  sportive  way,  "  you  are  very  obliging,  just  pour 
the  oats  on  the  ground  so  that  he  can  eat  them  at  his 
ease !  And  to  think  that  I  suspected  you  of  giving  them 
to  him  from  malice !  How  one  can  be  mistaken." 

Andrew  and  John  were  ashamed  and  vexed,  but  they 
took  good  care  to  conceal  it.  Their  companions  laughed 
to  see  them  so  nicely  caught,  mother  Tranchet  clapped 
her  hands,  and  as  for  me,  I  was  delighted,  eating  my  oats 
with  avidity,  and  feeling  a  renewal  of  strength  as  I  did 
so.  I  was  quite  pleased  with  mother  Tranchet  also. 
Having  finished  eating,  I  was  impatient  to  start.  At 
last  there  was  a  great  tumult,  the  Mayor  had  just  ordered 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          61 

us  to  be  ranged  in  line.  I  modestly  took  the  last  place. 
My  appearance  alone,  without  a  master,  was  the  signal 
for  a  general  inquiry  as  to  who  I  was,  and  to  whom  I 
belonged. 

"  To  no  one,"  said  Andrew. 

"  To  me,"  cried  mother  Tranchet. 

"  It  is  necessary  to  contribute  to  the  bag,  mother  Tran- 
chet," said  the  Mayor. 

"  I  have  done  so,  Mr.  Mayor." 

"  Good ;  write  mother  Tranchet's  name,"  said  the 
Mayor. 

"  It  is  already  down,  sir,"  replied  the  secretary. 

"  Yery  well,"  said  the  Mayor.  "  Is  everything  ready  ? 
One,  two,  three !  Start ! " 

At  this  the  boys  suddenly  released  the  donkeys  they 
were  holding,  giving  them  a  smart  blow  of  the  whip  at 
the  same  time.  All  started.  No  one  had  held  me,  and 
as  I  honestly  awaited  my  turn  all  the  others  had  a  slight 
advantage  over  me.  But  we  had  not  gone  more  than  a 
hundred  steps  ere  I  reached  them.  Behold  me  now  at 
the  head  of  the  band,  outstripping  them,  indeed,  without 
overtaxing  myself  to  do  BO.  The  boys  halloed  and 
cracked  their  whips  to  urge  on  their  own.  I  glanced 
back  occasionally  to  see  their  disconcerted  visages,  to 
contemplate  my  triumph  and  laugh  at  their  efforts.  My 
companions,  furious  at  being  distanced  by  me — a  poor, 
unknown,  piteous  looking  creature — redoubled  their 
efforts  to  overtake  me,  and  endeavored  to  block  the  road, 
one  against  another.  I  heard  behind  me  savage  cries, 


62          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

kicks,  bites.  Twice  was  I  reached,  almost  passed,  by 
John's  donkey.  Perhaps  I  ought  to  have  employed  the 
same  means  against  him  that  he  had  used  in  outstrip- 
ping his  companions;  but  I  disdained  such  unworthy 
manoeuvres.  I  saw,  however,  that  not  to  be  beaten  it 
was  necessary  to  do  my  utmost.  With  a  vigorous  bound, 
I  dashed  ahead  of  my  rival,  who  at  the  same  moment 
seized  me  by  the  tail.  So  great  was  the  pain  that  I 
almost  dropped  down  on  the  spot;  but  the  thought  of 
victory  inspired  me  with  courage  to  snatch  myself  away, 
leaving  a  piece  of  my  tail  in  his  mouth.  The  desire  of 
vengeance  gave  me  wings.  I  ran  with  such  speed  that 
not  only  did  I  reach  the  goal  first,  but  far,  far  ahead  of 
all  my  rivals.  I  was  breathless,  exhausted,  but  happy 
and  triumphant,  reveling  amidst  the  applause  of  thousands 
of  spectators  who  thronged  the  fields.  With  a  victor's 
pride  I  walked  up  to  the  tribunal  of  the  Mayor,  who 
was  to  bestow  the  prize.  Good  mother  Tranchet  also 
advanced,  caressing  and  promising  me  a  fine  repast  of 
oats.  She  extended  her  hand  for  the  watch  and  silver 
which  the  Mayor  was  about  to  give  her,  when  Andrew 
and  John,  running  in  breathless  haste,  exclaimed : 

"  Stop,  Mr.  Mayor,  stop ;  it  is  not  right,  that.  No  one 
knows  this  donkey.  Mother  Tranchet  has  no  right  to 
the  prize.  This  donkey  does  not  count;  it  was  mine 
and  John's  donkeys  that  beat;  the  watch  and  money 
belong  to  us." 

"  Did  not  mother  Tranchet  contribute  to  the  race  ? " 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Mayor,  but—" 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          65 

"  Was  there  any  opposition  when  she  did  so?  " 

«  No,  Mr.  Mayor,  but—" 

"Did  you  oppose  it  at  the  moment  of  departure?" 

«  No,  Mr.  Mayor,  but—" 

"  Then  mother  Tranchet's  donkey  has  really  won  the 
watch  and  money." 

"  Mr.  Mayor,  assemble  the  municipal  council  to  decide 
this  question  ;  you  have  no  right  to  decide  alone." 

The  Mayor  hesitated.  Seeing  this,  I  abruptly  seized 
the  watch  and  bag  with  my  teeth  and  put  them  in  the 
hands  of  mother  Tranchet,  who,  anxious  and  trembling, 
awaited  the  Mayor's  decision. 

This  act  of  intelligence  put  every  one  on  our  side  and 
covered  me  with  applause. 

"  Behold  the  question  decided  by  the  victor  in  favor  of 
mother  Tranchet,"  said  the  Mayor,  laughing.  "  Gentle- 
men of  the  municipal  council,  at  table  we  will  deliberate 
upon  my  allowing  justice  to  be  decided  by  a  donkey. 
Friends,"  added  he,  casting  a  mischievous  glance  at 
Andrew  and  John,  "  in  my  opinion  the  greatest  donkey 
among  us  is  not  that  of  mother  Tranchet." 

"  Bravo !  bravo !  Mr.  Mayor !  "  arose  from  every  side. 
And  all  laughed  except  Andrew  arid  John,  who  went  off 
shaking  their  fists  at  me. 

And  as  to  myself,  was  I  pleased?  No,  my  pride 
revolted ;  the  Mayor  had  insulted  me  in  calling  my  ene- 
mies donkeys.  It  was  ungrateful  and  base  to  do  so.  I 
had  displayed  courage,  forbearance,  patience,  intelligence, 
and  this  was  my  recompense!  Having  insulted,  they 


66  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

abandoned  me.  Even  mother  Tranche!,,  in  lior  joy  at 
getting  a  watch  and  a  purse  of  a  hundred  and  thirty-five 
francs,  forgot  her  benefactor  and  thought  no  more  of  the 
promised  repast  of  oats,  but  departed  with  the  crowd, 
leaving  me  minus  the  reward  I  so  truly  deserved ! 


X. 

GOOD  MASTERS. 

LEFT  sad  and  solitary  in  the  field,  and  suffering  from 
my  bitten  tail,  I  was  just  wondering  to  myself  if  donkeys 
were  not  better  than  men,  when  I  felt  a  soft  hand  caress 
me,  and  heard  a  voice  not  less  gentle,  saying  : 

"  Poor  thing !  they  have  been  unkind  to  you,  come, 
poor  beast,  come  go  home  to  grandma's,  she  will  feed  and 
care  for  you  better  than  your  wicked  masters !  Poor  don- 
key !  how  thin  you  are !  " 

Turning  round,  I  saw  a  pretty  little  boy  about  five 
years  old,  his  sister  apparently  three,  and  the  nurse. 

"James,"  said  Ruth,  "what  are  you  saying  to  this 
poor  donkey  ? " 

"  I  told  it  to  come  home  to  grandma's,  it  is  all  alone, 
poor  beast !  " 

"  Yes,  James,  take  him ;  wait,  I  am  going  to  get  on  his 
back.  Nurse,  nurse,  put  me  on  the  donkey's  back." 

The  nurse  put  the  little  girl  on  my  back ;  James  wished 
to  lead  me,  but  had  no  bridle. 


I  seized  the  watch  and  bajj  with  my  teeth.— (Pase  65.) 


(67 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  69 

"  Wait  nurse,"  said  he,  "  I  am  going  to  tie  my  hand- 
kerchief around  his  neck. 

Little  James  tried  to  do  so,  but  my  neck  was  much  too 
large  for  his  small  handkerchief;  the  nurse  gave  him  hers 
and  it  was  too  small. 

"  What  shall  I  do  nurse  ? "  said  he,  ready  to  cry. 

"  We  must  get  a  halter  or  rope  from  the  village. 
Come,  my  little  Ruth,  get  down." 

"No,"  said  Ruth,  clinging  to  my  neck,  "I  want  to 
stay  on  the  donkey,  I  want  him  to  take  me  home." 

"  But  you  have  nothing  to  lead  him  with;  you  see  he 
won't  move  any  more  than  if  he  were  a  stone." 

"  Wait  nurse,  yes  he  will,  I  know  his  name,  it  is  Cadi- 
chon,  mother  Tranchet  told  me  so,  I  am  going  to  pet  and 
coax  him,  and  I  believe  he  will  follow  me." 

James  came  up  to  me  and  whispered  in  my  ear.  "  Go 
my  nice  Cadichon,  please  go." 

This  dear  little  boy's  confidence  touched  me,  I  noticed 
with  pleasure,  that  instead  of  asking  for  a  stick  to  make 
me  go,  he  had  thought  only  of  kind  and  gentle  means. 
So,  scarcely  had  he  finished  his  words  and  the  accom- 
panying caresses,  ere  I  began  to  move. 

"  You  see  nurse,  he  understands  me,  he  loves  me," 
exclaimed  James,  his  cheeks  flushed,  his  eyes  sparkling 
with  joy,  as  he  ran  a  little  in  advance  to  show  me  the 
way. 

"As  if  a  donkey  could  understand  anything!  he  goes 
because  he  is  tired  of  standing  here." 

"  But  nurse,  he  follows  me,  you  see." 


70  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  Because  he  smells  the  bread  in  your  pocket." 

"  Do  you  think  he  is  hungry,  nurse  ? " 

"  Very  likely,  you  see  how  thin  he  is." 

"  Yes  he  is,  poor  Cadichon,  and  for  me  not  to  think  of 
giving  him  my  bread." 

And  taking  from  his  pocket  the  piece  of  bread  intended 
for  his  luncheon,  he  offered  it  to  ine. 

I  was  offended  at  the  nurse's  unkind  suggestion,  and 
delighted  with  an  opportunity  of  proving  that  she  had 
judged  me  harshly,  I  followed  James  and  carried  Ruth 
on  my  back,  not  from  interest  at  all,  but  from  civility 
and  courtesy. 

I  refused  the  offered  bread,  and  contented  myself  with 
licking  James's  hand. 

"  Nurse,  look !  look !  he  licks  my  hand,"  exclaimed 
James.  "  He  does  not  want  the  bread.  Oh !  my  dear, 
nice  Cadichon,  how  I  love  you !  You  see  now  nurse, 
that  he  follows  me  because  he  loves  me,  and  not  to  get 
the  bread." 

"  So  much  the  better  for  you,  if  you  can  believe  you 
have  a  donkey  like  one  nobody  else  ever  saw,  a  model 
donkey.  I  know  they  are  all  headstrong  and  vicious, 
and  for  my  part,  I  do  not  like  them." 

"  Oh  nurse,  poor  Cadichon  is  not  vicious,  see  how  good 
he  is  to  me." 

"And  how  long  will  it  all  last  ? " 

"  My  Cadichon,  you  will  always  be  good  to  me  and 
Ruth,  won't  you  ? "  said  James,  caressing  me. 

I  turned  towards  him  with  such  a  look  of  affection, 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          71 

that  in  spite  of  his  tender  years,  he  noticed  it ;  then  I 
cast  upon  the  nurse  such  a  furious  glance  that  she  like- 
wise observed  it,  for  she  said  immediately : 

"  What  a  wicked  eye !  and  defiant  air !  he  looks  at  me 
as  if  he  wanted  to  devour  me ! " 

"  Oh  nurse,"  replied  James,  "  how  can  you  say  that  ? 
he  looks  at  me  with  such  a  gentle  air,  as  if  he  wished  to 
embrace  me." 

Both  were  right,  and  I  had  not  been  misunderstood.  I 
promised  myself  to  be  gentle  and  good  to  James,  Kuth, 
and  all  on  the  place  who  would  be  kind  to  me,  and  I 
also  made  the  wicked  resolution,  of  being  spiteful  and 
vicious  to  those  who  would  maltreat  or  insult  me,  as  the 
nurse  had  done.  This  desire  of  vengeance,  was  event- 
ually to  cause  me  much  unhappiness. 

Talking  as  they  went,  we  kept  on  and  soon  reached 
their  grandmother's  residence. 

They  left  me  at  the  door,  where  I  stood  quietly,  like  a 
well  behaved  donkey,  not  even  nibbling  the  grass  that 
bordered  the  gravel  walks. 

In  two  minutes,  James  re-appeared,  accompanied  by 
his  grandmother. 

"  Come  see,  grandma,  come  see  how  gentle  he  is,  and 
how  he  loves  me.  Do  not  believe  nurse,  I  beg  you,"  said 
James  clasping  his  hands. 

"  No,  grandma,  don't  believe  it,  I  entreat  you  not  to 
believe  it,"  repeated  Ruth. 

"  Let  us  see,"  said  the  grandmother  smiling, "  let  us  see 
this  famous  donkey." 


72          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

And  coming  up  to  me,  she  touched  me,  she  caressed 
me,  she  took  hold  of  my  ears,  put  her  hand  to  my  mouth, 
I  stood  very  quietly,  making  not  the  slightest  attempt  to 
Lite  her,  or  even  get  away  from  her. 

"  He  seems  to  be  very  gentle,"  she  said,  "  how  could 
you  say,  Emily,  that  he  had  a  wicked  look  ? " 

"Isn't  he  good,  grandma,  isn't  he?  and  musn't  we 
keep  him  ? "  said  James. 

"  My  dear  little  one,  I  believe  he  is  very  good ;  but  how 
can  we  keep  him,  since  he  is  not  ours?  He  must  be  taken 
back  to  his  master." 

"  He  has  no  master,  grandma." 

"We  are  sure  he  has  no  master,  grandma,"  replied 
.Ruth,  who  always  repeated  her  brother's  words. 

"  How  is  that,  it  is  impossible." 

"  It  is  true,  grandma,  mother  Tranchet  told  me." 

"  Then  how  did  he  gain  the  race  prize  for  her  ?  Since 
he  ran  for  her,  she  must  have  borrowed  him  from  some 
one." 

"  No,  Grandma,  he  came  all  alone,  and  wanted  to  run 
with  the  others.  Mother  Tranchet  paid  the  risk,  but  she 
does  not  own  him,  he  belongs  to  nobody,  it  is  Cadichon, 
whose  mistress,  poor  Pauline  died ;  her  parents  drove 
him  oif,  and  he  has  lived  all  winter  in  the  woods." 

"  Cadichon !  the  famous  Cadichon  who  saved  his  little 
mistress  from  the  fire  ?  Ah !  I  am  very  glad  to  know 
him ;  he  is  truly  an  extraordinary  and  admirable  donkey." 

And  she  walked  around  me,  regarding  me  attentively. 
Proud  to  see  my  reputation  so  well  established,  I  reared 
my  head,  inflated  my  nostrils  and  shook  my  mane. 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY.  73 

"  Oh !  how  thin  he  is !  Poor  beast !  his  devotion  met 
with  little  recompense,"  said  the  grandmother  in  a  serious 
manner  and  tone  of  reproach.  "  We  will  keep  him,  my 
child,  we  will  keep  him,  since  he  has  been  abandoned 
and  driven  oft*  by  those  who  ought  to  have  cared  for  and 
loved  him.  Call  Bouland  to  put  him  in  the  stable  and 
give  him  a  good  bed." 

James,  delighted,  ran  to  get  Bouland,  who  came  imme- 
diately. 

"  Bouland,  here  is  a  donkey  the  children  have  brought 
home ;  take  him  to  the  stable  and  feed  and  water  him," 
said  the  grandmother. 

"  Must  he  then  be  taken  to  his  master  ? "  said  Bouland. 

"No;  he  has  no  master.  It  appears  that  he  is  the 
famous  Cadichon  that  was  driven  off  after  the  death  of 
his  little  mistress.  He  came  to  the  village  and  my  little 
children  found  him  abandoned  in  the  field.  They 
brought  him  home  and  we  are  going  to  keep  him." 

"  And  madam  does  well  to  keep  him ;  there  is  not  his 
equal  in  all  the  country.  I  have  heard  most  wonderful 
things  about  him.  They  say  he  hears  and  understands 
all  that  is  said  to  him.  Let  us  try  him,  madam.  Come, 
Cadichon,  come  get  some  oats." 

I  immediately  turned  and  followed  Bouland. 

"  It  is  astonishing,"  said  the  grandmother ;  "  he  really 
understood." 

And  she  went  in  the  house,  but  James  and  Ruth 
accompanied  me  to  the  stable.  I  was  placed  in  a  stall, 
my  companions  being  two  horses  and  a  donkey.  Bou- 


74:  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY. 

land,  assisted  by  James,  made  me  a  good  bed,  and  then 
went  to  get  my  oats. 

"  More,  more,  Bouland  ;  I  beg  you  to  give  him  more," 
said  James;  "lie  needs  a  hearty  meal,  he  has  run  BO 
hard." 

"  But,  Master  James,  if  you  give  him  too  many  oata 
he  will  get  so  lively  that  you  and  Miss  Iluth  can't  ride 
him." 

"  Oh !  he  is  such  a  good  donkey,  I  know  we  can  ride 
him  all  the  same." 

They  gave  me  an  enormous  quantity  of  oats  and  put 
a  bucket  of  water  beside  me.  Being  thirsty,  I  first  drank 
a  little  and  then  attacked  my  oats,  meanwhile  congratu- 
lating myself  upon  having  fallen  into  the  hands  of  this 
good  little  James.  I  also  made  some  reflections  upon 
mother  Tranchet's  ingratitude.  Then  devouring  my 
bundle  of  hay,  I  lay  down  on  my  straw,  and,  couched 
like  a  king,  I  slept. 


XI. 

CADICHON  SICK. 

MY  only  employment  next  morning  was  to  take  the 
children  riding  an  hour.  James  himself  got  me  my  oats, 
and  in  spite  of  Bouland's  warning,  he  gave  me  enough 
to  feed  three  donkeys  my  size.  I  ate  all  that  was  given 
me ;  I  was  happy.  But  on  the  third  day  I  felt  sick,  I 
had  fever,  and  both  head  and  stomach  seemed  affected ;  I 
could  eat  neither  hay  nor  oats,  but  remained  extended 
upon  the  straw. 

"  Here  is  Cadichon  not  up  yet,"  said  James  coming  to 
Bee  me.  "  Come,  Cadichon,  it  is  time  to  rise,  I  am  going 
to  give  you  your  oats." 

I  endeavored  to  rise  but  my  head  fell  back  heavily 
upon  the  straw. 

"Oh!  Cadichon  is  sick,"  exclaimed  little  James, 
"  Bouland,  Bouland,  come  quick,  Cadichon  is  sick !  " 

"  How  is  that,"  said  Bouland,  "  he  ate  his  breakfast 
this  morning  ? " 

Going  up  to  the  trough,  Bouland  looked  in  and  said : 

"  He  is  sick,  he  has  not  touched  his  oats — his  ears  are 
warm,"  added  he,  taking  hold  of  my  ears,  "  and  his  side 
beats."  « 

(75) 


76  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  What  does  that  mean,  Bouland  ? "  exclaimed  poor 
James,  in  great  alarm. 

"  It  means  master  James,  that  Cadichon  has  a  fever, 
you  have  fed  him  too  high,  we  must  get  the  veterinary." 

"  What  is  a  veterinary  ? "  asked  James,  still  more 
alarmed. 

"  It  is  a  horse  doctor.  You  see,  master  James,  I  told 
you  right.  The  poor  beast  suffered  this  winter  from 
hunger  and  want  of  shelter,  (you  can  tell  by  looking  at 
him,  see  the  color  of  his  hair  and  how  lean  he  is,)  then 
he  got  very  much  heated  running  at  the  race.  He  ought 
to  have  had  a  few  oats,  and  some  grass  to  strengthen  him, 
but  you  have  given  him  just  as  many  oats  as  he  could 
eat." 

"  Oh !  my  poor  Cadichon !  he  is  going  to  die,  and  it  is 
my  fault ! "  said  James  with  a  sob. 

"No,  master  James,  he  is  not  going  to  die  this  time, 
but  he  must  be  bled  and  put  out  on  grass." 

"  Oh !  but  it  will  hurt  so  to  bleed  him,"  said  James, 
all  in  tears. 

"  Not  this  bleeding ;  you  will  see,  for  I  am  going  to 
bleed  him  at  once,  whilst  waiting  for  the  veterinary." 

"  I  don't  want  to  see,  I  don't  want  to  see,"  cried  James, 
running  away,  "  I  am  sure  it  will  hurt  him." 

Bouland  took  his  lancet,  placed  it  on  a  vein  in  my 
neck,  struck  it  a  slight  blow  with  a  hammer,  and  the 
blood  gushed  out  immediately.  As  the  blood  flowed,  I 
began  to  feel  better,  my  head  became  less  heavy,  and  I 
was  relieved  of  oppression ;  I  was  soon  able  to  rise.  Bou- 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.  77 

land  stopped  the  blood  and  gave  me  some  bran  water,  and 
in  about  an  hour  led  me  into  the  field.  I  was  better  but 
not  well,  and  nearly  eight  days  elapsed  before  I  entirely 
recovered.  Meanwhile,  James  and  Ruth  loaded  me  with 
such  kindness  and  attentions  as  I  shall  never  forget. 
They  came  to  see  me  several  times  a  day ;  they  gathered 
grass  and  held  it  up  to  my  mouth,  that  I  might  be  spared 
the  trouble  of  bending  my  head  to  browse ;  they  brought 
me  garden  salad,  cabbage  and  carrots;  every  evening 
they  led  me  into  the  stable  themselves,  to  find  the  trough 
full  of  my  favorite  dainty,  potato  pickings  with  salt. 
One  day,  dear  little  James  wanted  to  give  me  his  pillow, 
because,  he  said,  my  head  was  too  low  when  I  slept. 
Another  time  Ruth  wished  to  lend  me  her  coverlet,  to 
keep  me  warm  at  night,  and  again,  they  wrapped  my  legs 
with  pieces  of  woolen  stuff,  for  fear  of  my  taking  cold. 
I  was  distressed  at  not  being  able  to  express  my  gratitude, 
for  I  had  the  misfortune  of  understanding  everything, 
without  the  power  of  uttering  a  word.  I  got  well  at  last, 
and  soon  after  my  recovery,  learned  that  James  and  Ruth 
with  several  of  their  cousins,  were  getting  up  a  donkey 
party  to  the  woods. 


XII. 

THE  ROBBERS. 

THE  children  were  assembled  in  the  yard,  and  with 
them  were  many  donkeys  from  the  neighboring  villages. 
I  recognized  nearly  all  of  the  latter  as  my  rivals  at  the 
race.  John's  donkey  eyed  me  savagely,  whilst  I,  in  re- 
turn, bestowed  upon  him  most  insulting  glances.  Nearly 
all  the  grandchildren  of  James's  grandmother  were  there : 
Maud,  Beatrice,  Elizabeth,  Helen,  Ruth,  William,  Henry, 
Louis  and  James.  All  the  mammas  were  to  accompany 
them  on  donkeys,  whilst  the  papas  went  on  foot  and 
armed  with  switches  to  keep  the  lazy  animals  moving. 
Before  starting,  there  was  as  usual  in  such  cases,  a  slight 
contention  as  to  who  should  have  the  best  animal ;  every- 
body wanted  me,  no  one  was  willing  to  give  up,  so  it  was 
at  last  decided  to  draw  lots.  I  fell  to  the  lot  of  little 
Louis,  James's  cousin ;  he  was  an  excellent  child,  and  I 
would  have  been  well  satisfied  had  I  not  seen  poor  little 
James's  unsuccessful  efforts  to  hide  his  tears.  Every 
time  he  looked  at  me  they  would  flow  afresh.  I  felt  very 
sorry,  but  was  unable  to  comfort  him;  however,  it  was 
necessary  for  him  as  well  as  myself  to  learn  resignation 
and  patience.  With  manly  resolution  he  mounted  hia 
donkey,  saying  to  Louis  as  he  did  so: 

(78) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          79 

"  I  will  keep  near  you,  Louis ;  don't  make  Cadichon 
gallop  too  fast,  or  I  will  be  behind." 

"  And  why  would  you  remain  behind  ?  why  not  gallop 
like  me  ? " 

"  Because  Cadichon  gallops  faster  than  any  other  don- 
key in  the  country." 

"  How  do  you  know  ? " 

"  Because  I  saw  him  run  for  the  prize  the  day  of  the 
donkey  race  at  the  village,  and  he  was  far  ahead  of  all 
the  others." 

Louis  promised  his  cousin  not  to  go  too  fast,  and  we 
both  started  off  in  a  trot.  My  companion  was  no  lag- 
gard, so  I  had  to  restrain  myself  but  little  that  we  might 
keep  together.  The  others  following,  some  briskly,  some 
tardily,  we  thus  reached  the  forest  where  stood  the  very 
beautiful  ruins  of  an  old  convent  and  chapel  that  the 
children  were  anxious  to  see.  The  place  bore  an  evil 
reputation  throughout  the  country,  and  no  one  liked  to 
go  there  except  in  large  companies.  At  night,  it  was 
said,  strange  noises  were  heard  issuing  from  the  ruins, 
groans,  cries,  the  clinking  of  chains ;  and  several  travel- 
ers who  laughed  at  these  accounts,  and  went  to  visit  the 
spot  alone,  never  returned  and  were  never  afterwards 
heard  of. 

Every  one  dismounted,  and  when  we  had  been  turned 
loose  to  graze  with  the  bridle  over  our  heads,  the  papas 
a  id  mammas  took  their  children  by  the  hand  to  prevent 
their  straying  off  or  lagging  behind,  and  much  to  my 
anxiety  the  whole  party  was  soon  lost  to  sight  amid  the 


80          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

ruins.  I  likewise  left  my  companions,  and  screened 
myself  from  the  sun  under  a  half-ruined  arch,  upon  a 
declivity  beside  the  woods,  and  a  little  farther  distant 
than  the  convent.  I  had  scarcely  been  there  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  when  I  heard  a  noise  near  the  arch.  Crouch- 
ing in  a  recess  of  the  ruined  wall,  where  unperceived,  I 
could  see  all  around,  I  listened.  The  noise,  though  dull, 
increased ;  it  seemed  to  be  underground. 

Not  many  minutes  and  I  saw  a  man's  head  cautiously 
peering  up  amidst  the  bushes. 

"  Nothing,"  said  he  in  a  low  tone,  looking  all  around. 
"  No  one — you  may  come,  comrades.  Every  one  is  to 
take  a  donkey  and  lead  him  carefully." 

He  then  moved  out  of  the  way  to  allow  passage  to 
about  a  dozen  men. 

"  If  the  donkeys  escape,"  said  he,  in  an  undertone, 
"don't  amuse  yourselves  running  after  them.  Quick, 
and  no  noise,  that  is  the  order." 

Creeping  through  the  woods,  which  were  very  thick 
just  there,  the  men  moved  cautiously  but  quickly. 
The  donkeys  seeking  shade,  were  browsing  upon  the 
grass  at  the  edge  of  the  forest.  At  a  given  signal,  every 
robber  caught  a  donkey  by  his  bridle  and  led  him  into 
the  thicket.  Instead  of  resisting,  struggling  and  braying 
to  give  the  alarm,  these  donkeys  allowed  themselves  to 
be  taken  as  passively  as  if  they  were  sheep.  Five 
minutes  after  the  robbers  had  reached  the  thicket  at  the 
foot  of  the  arch.  One  by  one  my  comrades  were  led 
into  the  bushes,  whence  they  disappeared.  I  heard  the 
noise  of  their  footsteps  under  ground,  then  all  was  silent. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.  81 

"  Here,"  thought  I,  "  is  an  explanation  of  the  myste- 
rious noises  that  have  frightened  the  country,  a  band  of 
robbers  concealed  in  the  convent  vaults.  They  must  be 
taken,  but  how  ?  that's  the  difficulty." 

I  remained  concealed  in  my  recess  (whence  I  had  a 
fine  view  of  the  entire  convent  ruins,  and  the  surround- 
ing country),  and  did  not  stir  until  I  heard  the  voices  of 
the  children  seeking  their  donkeys.  Then  I  ran  forward 
to  prevent  their  going  too  near  the  arch  and  thicket,  so 
skilfully  concealing  the  entrance  to  the  vaults  that  it  was 
impossible  to  perceive  them. 

"  There  is  Cadichon ! "  exclaimed  Louis. 

"  But  where  are  the  others  \ "  said  all  the  children  at 
once. 

"  They  must  be  near,"  said  Louis's  papa. 

"  We  had  better  seek  them  by  the  ravine  behind  the 
arch;  the  grass  there  is  fine,  and  they  have  probably 
wished  to  taste  it." 

Trembling  at  thoughts  of  the  danger  they  incurred,  I 
rushed  from  the  side  of  the  arch  to  prevent  their  passing. 
They  endeavored  to  make  me  move,  but  I  resisted  so 
stoutly,  barring  the  passage  whichever  way  they  at- 
tempted to  go,  that  Louis's  papa  stopped  his  brother-in- 
law  and  said  to  him : 

"  Listen,  there  is  something  very  extraordinary  about 
Cadichon's  behavior.  You  know  what  is  said  of  this 
animal's  intelligence.  Listen  to  me,  and  let  us  turn  back. 
Besides,  it  is  not  likely  that  all  the  donkeys  would  be  on 
the  other  side  of  the  ruins." 


82  THS  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  You  are  right,"  answered  James's  papa,  "  and  I  per- 
ceive the  grass  around  the  arch  pressed  down  as  if  it  had 
been  recently  trampled  upon.  No  doubt  our  donkeys 
have  been  stolen." 

They  returned  towards  the  mammas,  who  had  kept  the 
children  with  them,  and  I  followed  with  a  light  heart, 
happy  at  having  probably  averted  a  terrible  calamity. 
They  talked  low,  and  I  perceived  that  they  got  close 
together. 

"  How  shall  we  manage  this  ? "  said  Louis's  mamma, 
when  they  had  called  me  up.  "  One  donkey  can't  carry 
all  these  children." 

"Put  the  smallest  on  Cadichon,  and  let  the  rest  follow 
with  us,"  said  James's  mamma. 

"  Come,  Cadichon,  let  us  see  how  many  you  can  carry," 
said  Helen's  mamma. 

Ruth  being  the  smallest,  was  put  in  front,  then  Helen, 
then  James,  then  Louis.  The  whole  four  were  not  heavy, 
and  wishing  to  show  that  I  could  carry  them  without 
the  least  fatigue,  I  set  off  in  a  trot. 

"  Not  so  fast,  Cadichon  ! "  cried  the  papas,  "  gently,  so 
we  can  hold  on  to  those  on  your  back." 

I  changed  my  gait  to  a  walk,  and  proceeded,  sur- 
rounded by  the  larger  children  and  the  mammas,  the  papaa 
following  to  assist  those  that  were  disposed  to  lag  behind. 

"  Mamma,  why  didn't  papa  hunt  for  our  donkeys? "  said 
Henry,  who  was  the  youngest  of  the  band,  and  found 
the  way  long. 

"  Because  your  papa  thinks  they  have  been  stolen,  and 
it  would  be  useless  to  seek  them." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          83 

"  Stolen  !  who  stole  them  ?  I  saw  nobody." 

"  Nor  did  I,  but  there  were  traces  of  footsteps  around 
the  arch." 

"  But  then,  mamma,  he  ought  to  have  hunted  for  the 
robbers,"  said  William. 

"  That  would  have  been  very  imprudent,  as  there  must 
have  been  several  men,  to  have  taken  thirteen  donkeys. 
They  were  probably  armed,  and  would  have  killed  or 
wounded  your  papas." 

"Armed,  mamma !  "  said  William. 

"  Yes,  with  clubs,  knives,  perhaps  pistols." 

"  Oh !  how  very  dangerous !  Papa  was  right  to  return 
with  my  uncles  !  "  exclaimed  Maud. 

"  We  must  hasten  home,  for  your  papa  and  uncles  are 
going  to  the  village  al'ter  our  return." 

"  Why,  mamma  ?  "  asked  William. 

44  To  warn  the  guards,  and  try  to  recover  the  donkeys." 

"  1  am  sorry  we  went  to  see  the  ruins,"  said  Maud. 

"  Why  ? "  replied  Beatrice,  "  they  were  beautiful." 

"  Yes,  but  it  was  very  dangerous.  Suppose  the  rob- 
bers had  captured  us  instead  of  the  donkeys  ? " 

"  That  would  have  been  impossible !  there  were  too 
many  of  us,"  said  Elizabeth. 

"  But  there  must  have  been  a  number  of  robbers,"  was 
Maud's  reply. 

"  We  would  all  have  fought  them,"  said  Elizabeth. 

"  With  what  ?  we  had  only  a  stick." 

"And  our  feet,  our  fists,  our  teeth ;  1  would  have 
ecratched  them  to  death ;  I  would  have  torn  their  eye* 
out!" 


84  THE  ADVENTUKE8  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"And  the  robbers  would  have  killed  you,  that's  all," 
said  William. 

"  Killed  me !  and  papa  and  mamma  there !  do  you  sup- 
pose they  would  have  allowed  the  robbers  to  carry  me  off 
or  kill  me?" 

"  The  robbers  would  have  killed  them  too,  and  before 
they  killed  you,"  answerd  Beatrice. 

"Do  you  think,  then,  that  there  was  an  army  of 
robbers  ? " 

"  There  could  not  have  been  less  than  a  dozen." 

"  A  dozen  ?  what  nonsense !  do  you  believe  that  rob- 
bers always  go  in  dozens,  like  oysters  ? " 

"  You  are  always  making  fun  of  whatever  is  said  to 
you  !  I  say  that  to  carry  off  thirteen  donkeys,  there 
muat  have  been  at  least  twelve  men." 

"  I  bet  so  myself,  and  the  thirteenth  was  to  make  good 
measure,  like  little  pies." 

The  mammas,  and  the  other  children  laughed  at  this 
conversation,  until  it  turned  into  dispute ;  then  Eliza- 
beth's mamma  bade  her  be  silent,  and  said  that  Beatrice 
was  probably  correct  as  to  the  number  of  robbers. 

We  were  not  long  in  reaching  the  house,  and  great 
was  the  surprise  of  all  there,  to  see  the  party  returning 
on  foot,  and  me,  Cadichon,  carrying  four  children.  But 
when  the  papas  recounted  the  disappearance  of  the  don- 
keys, and  my  persistency  in  not  allowing  any  one  to 
approach  the  arch,  all  shook  their  heads,  and  gave  vent 
to  a  multitude  of  most  singular  suppositions ;  some  said 
the  donkeys  had  been  swallowed  up  by  demons ;  others, 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.  85 

that  the  religious  buried  in  the  chapel  had  seized  them  to 
ride  all  over  with  them ;  and  others  again,  that  the  angels 
guarding  the  convent,  reduced  to  dust  and  ashes  every 
animal  approaching  too  near  the  cemetery  where  the 
souls  of  the  religious  wandered.  Not  one  suggested  the 
idea  of  robbers  concealed  in  the  vaults. 

Immediately  on  their  return,  the  three  papas  acquainted 
the  grandmother  with  the  probable  theft  of  their  donkeys, 
after  which  the  horses  were  put  to  the  carriage,  and  they 
went  to  lay  their  complaint  before  the  authorities  of  the 
neighboring  town.  In  two  hours  they  returned  with  an 
officer  and  six  guards.  Such  was  my  reputation  for  intel- 
ligence, that  the  gravest  suspicions  were  based  upon  my 
resistance  to  the  attempted  passage  of  the  arch.  The 
guards  were  armed  with  pistols  and  carbines,  ready  to 
take  the  field.  However,  they  accepted  the  grandmother's 
invitation  to  dinner,  and  sat  down  to  the  table  with  the 
ladies  and  gentlemen. 


XIIL 

THE  VAULTS. 

THE  dinner  was  not  long,  for  the  soldiers  were  anxious 
to  make  their  inspection  before  night.  They  asked  the 
grandmother's  permission  to  take  me  with  them. 

"  He  will  be  very  useful  in  our  expedition,  madam," 
said  the  officer.  "  This  Cadichon  is  not  an  ordinary 
donkey;  he  has  already  accomplished  more  difficult 
things  than  we  are  going  to  require  of  him." 

"  Take  him,  if  you  think  it  necessary,  but  do  not 
fatigue  him  too  much,  I  beg  of  you.  The  poor  beast 
made  that  journey  this  morning  and  returned  with  four 
of  my  grandchildren  on  his  back." 

"  Oh,  as  to  that,  madam,  you  may  be  perfectly  easy ; 
be  sure  we  will  treat  him  as  kindly  as  possible." 

Having  eaten  and  drunk,  my  dinner  being  a  peck  of 
oats,  an  armful  of  salad,  carrots  and  other  vegetables, 
with  a  bucket  of  water,  I  was  ready  to  start.  When 
they  came  to  take  me,  I  placed  myself  at  the  head  and 
they  all  followed — a  donkey  guiding  soldiers  !  They  did 
not  seem  vexed  at  this,  however,  for  they  were  all  good 
men.  Soldiers  are  generally  considered  rough  and  harsh, 
but  I  assure  you  they  are  just  the  contrary ;  no  people  in 

(80) 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY.  87 

the  world  are  kinder,  none  more  charitable,  patient  and 
generous  than  these  same  military  men.  Whilst  on  the 
road  they  took  every  imaginable  care  of  me,  relaxing 
their  pace  when  they  thought  me  fatigued,  and  proposing 
to  let  rne  drink  at  every  stream  we  crossed. 

It  was  nearly  night  when  we  reached  the  convent. 
Fearing  their  horses  might  be  a  disadvantage,  they  had 
been  left  at  a  village  near  the  forest.  The  officer  now 
gave  orders  for  the  men  to  follow  all  my  movements  and 
to  keep  together.  Without  hesitation  I  led  them  to  tho 
entrance  of  the  arch  overgrown  with  bushes,  and  whence 
I  had  seen  the  twelve  robbers  issue. 

With  the  greatest  anxiety,  I  saw  that  they  remained 
there.  To  get  them  away  I  went  a  few  steps  behind  the 
wall ;  they  followed  and  I  returned  to  the  bushes,  pre- 
venting them  from  returning  also,  by  barring  the  way 
whenever  they  attempted  a  step  in  that  direction.  They 
understood  me  and  remained  concealed  along  the  wall. 

I  then  approached  the  entrance  to  the  vaults,  and 
began  to  bray  with  all  the  strength  of  my  lungs.  I  was 
not  long  in  attaining  my  object.  All  my  imprisoned 
comrades  responded  vigorously.  1  made  a  step  towards 
the  soldiers,  who  divined  my  manoeuvres,  and  I  returned 
to  the  entrance  of  the  vaults,  where  I  began  to  bray 
again.  This  time  there  was  no  answer,  and  I  suspected 
that  the  robbers  to  prevent  my  comrades'  braying  had 
tied  stones  to  their  tails.  Everybody  knows  that  on  bray- 
ing we  raise  our  tails,  and  not  being  able  to  raise  their 
tails,  because  of  the  weight  of  the  stones,  my  comrades 
held  their  peace. 


88  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

I  remained  about  two  steps  from  the  entrance.  Soon 
a  man's  head  cautiously  peered  up  amidst  the  bushes. 
Looking  all  around  and  seeing  no  one  but  myself: 

"Ah!"  said  he,  "here  is  the  knave  we  missed  this 
morning.  You  will  rejoin  your  companions,  my  brayer." 

As  he  was  about  to  seize  me,  I  retreated  a  couple  of 
steps,  he  followed,  I  still  kept  out  of  his  reach,  until  I 


had  brought  him  to  the  angle  of  the  wall,  behind  which 
my  friends,  the  soldiers,  were  concealed. 

Before  he  had  time  to  utter  a  cry  even,  they  had  seized, 
gagged,  and  bound  and  extended  him  on  the  ground.  I 
returned  tr>  the  entrance  and  brayed  again,  not  doubting 
but  this  would  bring  another  to  see  what  had  become  of 
his  companion.  And  sure  enough,  I  soon  heard  a  slight 
movement  among  the  bushes,  and  saw  a  new  head  look- 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 


89 


ing  around  with  the  same  precaution.  Not  being  able  to 
reach  me,  the  second  robber  did  precisely  as  the  first.  I 
executed  the  same  mano3uvre,  and  he  was  in  the  soldiers' 
hands  before  he  had  time  to  know  what  had  happened. 
I  proceeded  thus,  until  six  were  taken.  After  the 
sixth,  I  brayed  in  vain ;  no  one  appeared.  I  suppose, 
noticing  that  their  companions  did  not  return,  the  rob- 


bers began  to  suspect  a  trap  and  determined  to  run  no 
more  risks. 

Meanwhile,  night  had  set  in  and  we  could  scarcely  see. 
The  officer  sent  one  of  his  men  for  re-inforcements  to 
attack  the  robbers  in  their  cave,  and  to  take  away  in  a 
vehicle,  the  six  prisoners  bound  and  gagged.  The  remain- 
ing soldiers  were  divided  into  two  bands  to  guard  the 
convent  outlets ;  as  for  me,  receiving  many  caresses  and 


90  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

unbounded  compliments,  I  was  allowed  to  follow  my  own 
inclinations. 

"  If  he  were  not  a  donkey,"  said  one  soldier,  "  he  woiild 
merit  the  cross." 

"  Hasn't  he  one  on  his  back  ?  "  said  another. 

"  Hush  that,"  said  a  third,  "  its  a  poor  joke ;  you  know 
very  well  that  this  cross  is  marked  upon  their  backs  to 
remind  us  that  one  of  their  number  had  once  the  honor 
of  carrying  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

"  That's  why  it  is  a  cross  of  honor,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Silence,"  said  the  officer  in  an  undertone,  "  Cadichon 
pricks  up  his  ears." 

I  indeed  heard  an  extraordinary  noise  from  beneath 
the  arch,  it  was  not  the  sound  of  footsteps,  but  rather 
that  of  stifled  cries  and  a  sort  of  crackling.  The  soldiers 
likewise  heard  it,  but  could  not  divine  the  cause.  At 
last  a  thick  smoke  was  seen  issuing  from  the  air  holes 
and  lower  windows  of  the  convent,  tongues  of  flame 
leaped  out,  and  in  a  few  minutes  all  was  on  fire. 

"  They  have  set  fire  to  the  vaults,  so  they  can  escape  by 
the  doors,"  said  the  officer. 

"  It  must  be  extinguished,  lieutenant,"  replied  a  sol- 
dier. 

"  Be  very  careful !  Guard  every  opening  more  closely 
than  ever,  and  if  the  robbers  show  themselves,  fire  your 
carbines,  use  the  pistols  afterwards." 

The  officer  had  truly  divined  their  manoeuvres ;  under- 
standing that  they  had  been  discovered  and  their  com- 
rades captured,  the  robbers  hoped  to  avail  themselves  of 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          91 

the  opportunity  afforded  by  the  soldiers'  efforts  in  extin- 
guishing the  flames,  to  make  their  own  escape  and  liberate 
their  friends.  We  soon  saw  the  remaining  six  and  their 
captain  ru-h  out  of  the  masked  entrance  by  the  bushes; 
but  three  guards  were  at  this  post ;  each  one  drew  his 
carbine  before  the  robbers  had  time  to  use  their  arms. 
Two  of  the  thieves  fell,  and  the  third  let  his  pistol  drop 
from  his  hands,  his  arm  was  broken.  But  the  captain 
and  the  other  three  rushed  furiously  upon  the  soldiers, 
who,  sabre  in  one  hand  and  pistol  in  the  other,  fought 
like  lions.  Before  the  officer  and  the  two  soldiers  guard- 
ing the  opposite  side  of  the  convent  had  had  time  to 
come  to  their  companions'  assistance,  the  combat  was 
nearly  ended  and  the  robbers  all  either  killed  or  wounded; 
the  captain  who  still  defended  himself  against  a  soldier, 
being  the  only  one  on  his  feet.  His  two  comrades 
were  dangerously  wounded.  The  arrival  of  reinforce- 
ments ei  de  1  the  contest.  In  the  twinkling  of  an  eye, 
the  captain  was  surrounded,  disarmed,  gagged  and  put 
beside  the  other  six. 

During  this  struggle  the  fire  died  out;  in  fact,  nothing 
had  been  burning  but  some  bushes  and  undergrowth,  but 
the  officer  before  penetrating  into  the  vaults  wished  to 
await  the  arrival  of  the  expected  reinforcements.  The 
night  was  well  advanced,  when  we  saw  the  six  addi- 
tional soldiers  and  the  vehicle  which  was  to  take  away 
the  prisoners.  They  were  placed  in  it  side  by  side.  The 
officer  being  humane,  had  given  orders  to  remove  the 
gags,  and  in  consequence,  the  soldiers  were  loaded  with 


92  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 

all  manner  of  abusive  epithets,  to  which,  however,  they 
paid  no  attention.  Two  of  them  got  into  the  wagon  to 
escort  the  prisoners,  and  meanwhile  litters  were  made  to 
carry  the  wounded. 

During  these  preparations,  I  accompanied  the  officer, 
who,  with  eight  men,  penetrated  into  the  vaults.  We 
traversed  a  long  corridor,  which  sloped  downward,  until 
at  last  we  reached  the  vaults,  where  the  brigands  had 
established  their  dwelling.  One  of  these  caves  served 
for  their  stable,  and  here  we  found  all  my  comrades  cap- 
tured that  day,  each  one  with  a  stone  to  his  tail.  The 
stones  were  immediately  detached,  and  the  donkeys 
began  to  bray  in  unison.  Being  underground,  it  was 
deafening. 

"  Silence !  donlceys !  "  said  a  soldier,  "  unless  you  want 
your  trinkets  put  on  again." 

"  Let  them  alone,"  responded  another  soldier,  "  you 
know  very  well  they  are  sounding  Cadichon's  praises." 

"  I  would  prefer  their  doing  it  in  another  tone,"  said 
the  first  soldier  laughing. 

"  This  man  assuredly,"  said  I  to  myself, "  does  not  like 
music.  "What  does  he  find  to  censure  in  my  comrades' 
voices."  Poor  comrades !  they  chanted  their  deliverance. 

We  continued  our  inspection.  One  of  the  vaults  was 
full  of  stolen  goods.  In  another,  were  the  prisoners  kept 
to  wait  on  them,  some  attended  to  the  dishes,  the  cook- 
ing, the  cleaning  of  the  vaults,  others  made  the  clothing 
and  shoes.  Some  of  these  unhappy  creatures  had  been 
there  for  two  years ;  they  were  chained  by  twos,  and  had 


THE  ADVENTUKE8  OF  A  DONKEY.          93 

little  bells  to  their  arms  and  feet,  so  as  to  keep  one 
always  acquainted  with  their  movements.  Two  robbers 
remained  constantly  with  them  as  guards,  and  never 
more  than  two  captives  were  allowed  in  the  same  vault, 
except  those  who  made  the  clothing.  The  latter  were  all 
together  whilst  working,  but  during  this  time  the  end  of 
their  chain  was  attached  to  a  ring  fastened  in  the  wall. 

I  learned  afterwards  that  these  captives,  about  forty  in 
number,  were  the  visitors  to  the  ruins,  who  had  been  dis- 
appearing for  the  last  two  years.  They  related  how  the 
robbers  had  killed  before  their  eyes,  three  of  them,  who 
were  sick,  and  one  who  obstinately  refused  to  work. 

The  soldiers  delivered  all  these  poor  creatures,  brought 
the  donkeys  to  the  castle,  carried  the  wounded  men  to 
the  hospital,  and  put  the  robbers  in  prison.  The  latter 
were  judged  and  condemned ;  the  captain  to  death,  the 
others  to  transportation  to  Cayenne.  As  for  me,  I  was 
the  universal  subject  of  admiration  ;  wherever  I  went,  I 
heard  persons  saying : 

"  It  is  Cadichon  !  the  famous  Cadichon,  worth  all  the 
donkeys  in  the  country  1 " 


XIV. 

THERESA. 

MY  little  mistresses,  (for  my  masters  and  mistresses 
corresponded  to  the  number  of  the  grandmother's  grand- 
children,) had  a  cousin,  of  whom  they  were  very  fond. 
She  was  near  their  age,  and  their  most  intimate  friend. 
Theresa  was  her  name,  and  a  good,  kind  little  darling  she 
was.  She  never  touched  me  with  a  switch,  and  never 
permitted  anyone  to  do  so  when  she  was  on  my  back. 

In  one  of  our  promenades,  my  young  mistresses  came 
upon  a  little  girl  seated  along  the  roadside.  She  rose  at 
their  approach  and  came  limping  towards  them,  asking 
alms.  They  were  all  touched  at  her  sad,  dejected  appear- 
ance. 

"  Why  do  you  limp,  little  one  ? "  said  Theresa. 

"  Because  my  shoes  hurt  me,  miss." 

"  \Vhy  don't  you  ask  your  mamma  to  get  you  another 
pair?" 

"  I  have  no  mamma,  miss." 

"  Ask  your  papa,  then  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  papa,  miss." 

"  But  with  whom  do  you  live? " 

«  With  nobody,  I  live  alone." 

"  Who  feeds  you  ?  " 

(94) 


A  little  girl  asked  alms  from  them.-(Page  04.) 


(05) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          97 

"  Sometimes  nobody,  sometimes  everybody." 

"  How  old  are  you  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,  miss,  about  seven  years  perhaps." 

«  Where  do  you  sleep  ?  " 

"  Wherever  anybody  takes  me  in ;  when  everybody 
drives  me  away,  I  sleep  out-doors,  under  a  tree,  near  a 
hedge,  anywhere." 

"  But  in  winter  you  must  freeze." 

"  I  get  cold,  but  I  am  used  to  it." 

"  Have  you  had  any  dinner  to-day  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  eaten  since  yesterday." 

"  Oh  !  that  is  dreadful,  dreadful,"  said  Theresa,  with 
tears  in  her  eyes.  "My  dear  cousins,  wouldn't  your 
grandma  give  this  poor  little  thing  something  to  eat  and 
let  her  sleep  in  the  castle  ? " 

"  Certainly,"  answered  the  three  cousins,  "  grandma 
would  be  delighted,  and,  besides,  she  always  does  what 
we  wish  her  to  do." 

"  But,  Theresa,"  said  Beatrice,  "  how  shall  we  get  her 
to  the  house  ?  see  how  she  limps." 

"  Put  her  on  Cadichon,  and  let  us  go  on  foot,  instead 
of  taking  turns  on  Cadichon,  two  by  two,  as  we  have 
been  doing." 

"  Oh,  to  be  sure ;  what  a  good  idea,"  exclaimed  the 
three  cousins. 

They  put  the  little  girl  on  my  back,  and  Maud  gave 
her  a  piece  of  bread  that  had  been  left  of  their  lunch. 
She  was  delighted  to  get  a  ride,  but  so  great  were  her 


98          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

fatigue  and  hunger,  that  she  ate  the  bread  with  avidity, 
and  said  nothing. 

When  we  reached  home,  Maud  and  Elizabeth  took  the 
child  into  the  kitchen,  whilst  Beatrice  and  Theresa  ran 
to  their  grandmother.  "  Grandma,"  said  Beatrice,  "  will 
you  let  us  give  a  good  little  girl  that  we  found  on  the 
road  something  to  eat  ?  " 

"Certainly,  my  darling;  but  who  is  she?" 

"I  don't  know,  grandma." 

«  VV^here  does  she  live?" 

"  Nowhere,  grandma." 

"Nowhere!  how  is  that?  Her  parents  must  live 
somewhere." 

"  She  has  no  parents,  grandma,  she  is  all  alone." 

"  And,"  said  Theresa,  timidly,  "  will  you  let  the  poor 
little  thing  sleep  here? " 

"  If  she  really  has  no  home,  I  could  not  turn  her  away ; 
but  I  must  see  her  and  speak  to  her." 

So  saying,  she  arose  and  went  to  the  kitchen  where  the 
little  ffirl  was  finishing  her  meal.  She  called  the  child, 
who  came  limping,  questioned  her  and  obtained  the  same 
replies.  It  was  truly  an  embarrassing  case.  To  send 
this  child  away,  plunging  her  again  into  the  state  of 
abandonment  and  suffering  from  which  she  had  just  been 
rescued,  would  be  impossible  ;  but  then  what  was  to  be 
done  with  her?  who  was  to  take  charge  of  and  raise 
her? 

"  Listen,  my  dear,"  said  the  grandmother,  "you  will 
eat  and  sleep  here,  whilst  I  make  inquiries  as  to  the  truth 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.  99 

of  jour  account,  and  in  a  few  days  I  will  see  what  I  can 
do  for  yon." 

She  then  gave  orders  to  prepare  a  bed  for  the  child, 
and  not  to  let  her  want  for  anything;  but  the  poor  little 
creature  was  so  filthy  that  no  one  wished  to  touch  her  or 
even  come  near  her.  Theresa  was  in  despair ;  she  could 
not  insist  upon  her  aunt's  servants  doing  what  was  so 
repugnant  to  them. 

"  It  was  I,"  thought  she,  "  who  brought  her  here,  and 
I  am  the  one  to  have  the  care  and  trouble.  But  how 
shall  I  do?" 

After  a  moment's  reflection,  an  idea  presented  itself. 

"  Wait,  my  dear,"  said  she,  "  I  will  be  back  presently." 
And  she  ran  to  her  mamma. 

"  Mamma,"  said  she,  "  ought  I  not  to  take  a  bath  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Theresa,  go  now,  your  nurse  is  waiting  for  you." 

"  Mamma,  instead  of  taking  a  bath  myself,  would  you 
let  me  give  one  to  the  little  girl  we  have  brought  here  ? " 

"  What  little  girl  ?  I  have  not  seen  her." 

"A  poor,  poor  little  thing,  who  has  no  papa,  no  mamma, 
no  one  to  take  care  of  her,  who  sleeps  out-doors,  and  eats 
only  what  people  give  her.  Maud's  grandma  says  she 
may  stay  at  the  castle,  but  none  of  the  servants  will 
touch  her." 

«  Why  not?" 

"Because  she  is  so  dirty,  so  dirty,  she  is  disgusting; 
then  mamma,  if  you  are  willing,  I  will  bathe  her  in  my 
place,  not  to  disgust  nurse.  I  will  undress  and  soap  her 
myself,  and  I  will  cut  her  hair,  which  is  all  tangled  and 
full  of  little  white  insects." 


100  THE   ADVENTUBE8   OF   A    DONKEY. 

"  But,  my  little  Theresa,  won't  it  disgust  you  too,  to 
touch  and  wash  her  ? " 

"A  little,  mamma,  but  when  I  think  that  if  I  were  in 
her  place,  it  would  make  me  so  happy  to  have  somebody 
care  for  me,  I  feel  encouraged.  And  mamma,  when  she 
is  washed,  will  you  let  me  put  some  of  my  old  clothes  on 
her,  till  I  buy  her  new  ones  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  my  dear  little  Theresa,  but  how  can  you 
buy  her  clothing  ?  You  have  only  two  or  three  francs, 
about  enough  to  get  her  a  chemise." 

"  Oh  !  mamma,  you  forgot  my  twenty  franc  piece ! " 

"  That  you  gave  your  papa  to  keep  for  you,  so  you 
would  not  spend  it  ?  I  thought  you  were  saving  that  to 
buy  a  beautiful  prayer  book  like  Maud's." 

"I  would  rather  do  without  the  beautiful  prayer  book, 
mamma,  I  still  have  my  old  one." 

"  Do  as  you  wish,  my  child,  whenever  there  is  a  ques- 
tion of  doing  good,  I  leave  you  free  to  use  your  own 
pleasure." 

Her  mamma  embraced  her,  and  then  went  with  her  to 
see  this  little  girl  that  no  one  would  touch. 

"  If  she  has  any  disease  of  the  skin,  that  Theresa  can 
catch,  I  shall  not  let  Theresa  touch  her,"  said  the  mother. 

The  little  girl  still  waited  at  the  door.  A  careful 
examination  of  her  hands  and  body  revealed  no  traces  of 
disease,  but  a  great  deal  of  dirt.  Her  hair  was  so  full  of 
vermin,  that  making  her  sit  on  the  grass,  Theresa's 
mamma  cut  it  close  to  her  head,  without  touching  it  with 
her  hands.  When  it  was  all  on  the  grass,  she  took  it  up 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 


101 


on  a  shovel,  and  told  one  of  the  servants  to  throw  it 
away  out  of  reach.  Then  in  a  tub  of  tepid  water,  with 
Theresa's  assistance,  she  gave  the  little  beggar's  head  a 
thorough  washing  and  cleaning.  Having  wiped  it,  she 
said  to  Theresa :  "  Now,  my  pet, 
whilst  you  give  her  a  bath,  I 
will  throw  these  rags  in  the  fire." 
Maud,  Beatrice  and  Elizabeth 
came  to  Theresa's  assistance; 
they  all  four  led  her  into  the 
bath  room  and  undressed  her, 
in  spite  of  the  disgusting  odor 
of  her  rags  and  dirt.  Then 
eagerly  plunging  her  in  the 
water,  they  soaped  her  from 
head  to  foot.  The  operation 
was  such  a  pleasant  one  to  all 
parties,  both  the  little  girl  and 
her  friends,  that  she  was  kept 
in  somewhat  longer  than  ne- 
cessity required.  When  the  bathing  was  over,  and 
she  had  expressed  her  satisfaction,  the  four  assisted  her 
out  of  the  bath  tub.  Then  after  wiping  and  rubbing 
her  skin  until  it  was  very  red  and  as  dry  as  a  ham  bone, 
they  arrayed  her  in  a  chemise,  a  petticoat  and  a  dress 
belonging  to  Theresa,  all  of  which  answered  the  purpose, 
because  Theresa,  like  other  little  girls  in  her  station, 
wore  her  clothes  very  short,  whilst  the  little  beggar's 
were  expected  to  reach  her  ankles.  The  waist  was  some- 


102          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

what  long,  but  not  being  excessively  particular,  everyone 
was  pleased.  When  about  to  put  on  her  shoes  and 
stockings,  the  children  perceived  a  sore  upon  the  instep. 
It  was  this  which  had  made  her  limp.  Maud  immedi- 
ately ran  to  her  grad mother  for  some  salve.  The  grand- 
mother gave  what  was  necessary,  and  Maud,  assisted  by 
her  three  friends,  one  of  whom  steadied  the  little  girl, 
whilst  a  second  held  her  foot,  and  a  third  unrolled  the 
bandage  and  applied  the  liniment.  They  were  nearly 
one  quarter  of  an  hour  arranging  a  compress  and  band  ; 
sometimes  it  was  too  tight,  sometimes  not  tight  enough ; 
the  band  was  too  high,  or  the  compress  too  low ;  they 
disputed  and  jerked  the  sore  foot  first  this  way  and  then 
that,  the  owner,  meanwhile,  not  daring  to  object  or  utter 
a  complaint.  At  last,  however,  the  bandage  was  arranged 
satisfactorily,  a  pair  of  Theresa's  old  stockings  and  slip- 
pers put  on  her  feet,  and  the  little  beggar  relieved  of  her 
kind  waiting  maids'  attentions.  When  she  returned  to 
the  kitchen  no  one  recognized  her. 

"  This  is  certainly  not  the  little  fright  that  just  went 
out  of  here,"  said  one  servant. 

"  It  is  the  same  child,"  replied  another  servant,  "  but 
no  one  would  know  it,  she  looks  so  genteel  now." 

"It  is  all  lost  time  for  Madame  d'Arbe  and  the  chil- 
dren to  fix  her  up  like  that.  As  for  me,  I  would  not 
have  touched  her  if  they  had  given  me  twenty  francs," 
said  the  cook. 

"  And  she  smelt  so  bad,"  said  the  kitchen  girl. 

"  You  ought  not  to  have   such  a  sensitive  nose,  my 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         105 

fair  one,"  replied  the  coachman,  "  you  who  have  your 
gridirons,  your  saucepans  and  all  such  things  to  clean." 

"My  gridirons  and  saucepans  are  not  strong  of  the 
stable,  like  some  people  I  know,"  was  the  kitchen  girl's 
answer,  somewhat  piqued 

"  Ah !  ah !  ah !  she  is  angry,  take  care  of  the  broom ! " 
said  the  other  servants. 

"  If  she  takes  hers,  I  know  very  well  where  to  find 
mine,"  said  the  coachman,  "  and  the  pitchfork  and  curry- 
comb." 

"  Come,  come,"  interposed  the  cook, "  don't  go  too  far ; 
she  is  passionate,  and  you  know  you  must  not  irritate 
her." 

"  What  is  that  to  me  ?  if  she  gets  angry,  so  will  I." 

"  .But  I  do  not  want  that  here ;  madam  does  not  like 
disputes ;  it  is  very  certain  that  we  all  would  come  in  for 
a  share  of  the  blame." 

"  Le  Vatel  is  right,"  said  another  servant  "  Hush, 
Thomas,  you  are  always  getting  up  a  quarrel.  Besides, 
this  is  not  your  place." 

"Indeed!  my  place  is  anywhere,  when  1  have  no 
stable  work  to  do." 

"  But  you  have  work  to  do,"  replied  the  cook.  "  Look 
at  Cadichon,  not  yet  unsaddled,  and  walking  up  and 
down  like  a  countryman  waiting  for  his  dinner." 

"I  believe  Cadichon  listens  at  the  doors;  he  is  more 
cunning  than  he  seems ;  he  is  a  real  scamp  of  a  donkey," 
said  the  coachman,  as  he  called  me,  and  taking  hold  of 
my  bridle,  led  me  to  the  stable.  Having  unbridled  and 


106  THE    ADVENTURES   OF    A    DO>  KEY. 

unsaddled  me,  lie  left  me  alone,  that  is,  with  two  horses 
and  another  donkey,  with  none  of  whom  I  ever  deigned 
to  converse. 

I  know  not  what  took  place  that  evening  at  the  castle, 
but  the  next  afternoon  I  was  saddled,  and  with  the  little 
beggar  on  my  back,  my  four  little  mistresses  following 
on  foot,  we  all  went  to  the  village.  I  learned  from  their 
conversation  that  they  were  on  a  shopping  expedition 
for  their  prot6g6.  Theresa  wished  to  furnish  the  outfit 
entire,  the  others  insisted  on  paying  their  share,  and  the 
dispute  grew  so  animated,  that  had  I  not  stopped  at  the 
store  of  myself,  they  would  have  passed  it.  In  helping 
the  little  girl  to  get  down,  they  nearly  pitched  her  face 
foremost  on  the  ground,  for  all  darted  at  her  at  once; 
one  caught  her  by  the  legs,  another  by  the  arms,  a  third 
by  the  waist,  whilst  Elizabeth,  who  was  stronger  than 
two  or  three  of  the  others  put  together,  pushed  them 
away  so  that  she  could  help  the  child  off  all  by  herself. 
Pulled  here  and  there,  the  poor  thing  began  to  cry  of 
fright,  until  she  attracted  the  attention  of  passers  by. 
The  store-keeper  opened  the  door  : 

"  Good  morning,  young  ladies,  let  me  help  you,  you 
are  not  strong  enough  to  lift  this  little  girl." 

My  young  mistresses,  satisfied  at  not  having  yielded  to 
one  another,  relinquished  their  hold  on  the  child  and  the 
store-keeper  immediately  lifted  her  off  my  back. 

"  What  will  you  have,  young  ladies  ? "  said  Madam 
Juivet. 

"  We  want  to  get  materials  for  clothing  for  this  little 
girl,"  answered  Beatrice. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         107 

"  Oh,  certainly ;  is  it  a  dress,  a  petticoat,  or  undergar- 
ments you  wish? " 

"  We  want  materials  for  all,  Madam  Juivet,"  answered 
Maud ;  "  let  us  have  enough  to  make  three  chemises,  one 
petticoat,  one  dress,  one  apron,  one  neckerchief,  two 
bonnets." 

"  Let  me  speak,  Maud,"  whispered  Theresa,  "since  I  am 
going  to  pay." 

"  No,  you  are  not  going  to  pay  all,  we  wish  to  pay 
part,"  was  the  whispered  answer. 

"  But  I  would  rather  pay  alone,"  said  Theresa  in  the 
same  tone,  "she  is  my  girl." 

"  No,  she  isn't,  she  belongs  to  us  all,"  said  Maud. 

"  What  materials  do  you  prefer  ?  "  interrupted  Madam 
Juivet,  impatient  to  sell. 

Whilst  Maud  and  Theresa  continued  their  dispute  in 
an  undertone,  Beatrice  and  Elizabeth  took  advantage  of 
the  opportunity  to  make  the  purchases. 

"  Good  bye,  Madam  Juivet,"  said  they,  "  send  it  home 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  enclose  the  bill  also." 

"  How  is  that !  "  exclaimed  Maud  and  Theresa,  "  have 
you  already  bought  the  things?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  Beatrice,  with  a  mischievous  air,  "  we 
selected  all  that  was  necessary  whilst  you  two  were 
talking." 

"But  you  ought  to  have  consulted  our  tastes  too," 
replied  Maud. 

"  Certainly,  since  I  am  the  person  who  pays,"  said 
Theresa. 


108          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

**  We'll  all  pay,  we'll  all  pay !  "  cried  the  other  three 
in  chorus. 

"  How  much  is  it  ?  "  inquired  Theresa. 

"  Thirty-two  francs,  miss." 

"  Thirty-two  francs ! "  exclaimed  the  frightened  Theresa, 
"  but  I  have  only  twenty." 

"Ah !  we'll  pay  the  rest,"  said  Maud. 

"  So  much  the  better,  as  we  will  then  have  all  helped 
to  clothe  her,"  said  Elizabeth. 

"  So  thanks  to  Madam  Juivet,  we  are  at  last  agreed, 
and  it  was  not  such  an  easy  matter,"  said  Beatrice  laugh- 
ing. 

Through  the  open  door,  I  had  heard  all,  and  was  indig- 
nant at  Madam  Juivet,  for  she  had  charged  my  kind 
little  mistresses  at  least  double  the  value  of  their  goods. 
I  hoped  their  mammas  would  not  consent  to  the  imposi- 
tion. "VVe  returned  home,  every  one  pleased,  thanks  to 
Madam  Juivet,  as  Beatrice  had  innocently  remarked. 

It  was  beautiful  weather,  and  all  were  seated  on  the 
lawn  in  front  of  the  house  when  we  arrived.  William, 
Henry,  Louis  and  James  had  been  fishing  in  one  of  the 
ponds,  during  our  trip  to  the  village,  and  had  just 
returned  with  three  fine  fishes  and  a  number  of  little 
ones.  Whilst  Louis  and  James  took  oif  my  saddle  and 
bridle,  the  four  little  girls  gave  their  mammas  an  account 
of  their  purchases. 

"  What  did  they  come  to?  "  said  Theresa's  mamma. 
"  How  much  is  left  of  your  twenty  franc  piece  ?  " 

Theresa  was  a  little  embarrassed,  and  blushed  slightly 
as  she  answered : 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          109 

"  Nothing,  mamma." 

"  Nothing!  twenty  francs  to  dress  a  child  six  or  seven 
years  old !  "  said  Maud's  mamma.  "  That  is  dreadfully 
high  !  what  have  you  bought  ?  " 

Theresa  could  not  tell,  she  could  only  say  that  Beatrice 
and  Elizabeth  had  made  the  selection. 

But  the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  arrival  of 
Madam  Juivet  with  the  package,  much  to  the  delight  of 
Beatrice  and  Elizabeth,  who  were  beginning  to  think 
they  had  made  a  bad  bargain. 

"  Good  day,  Madam  Juivet,"  said  the  grandmother," 
"  open  your  package  here  on  the  lawn  and  let  us  see 
what  these  little  girls  have  bought." 

Making  a  salutation,  Madam  Juivet  laid  down  her 
bundle,  undid  it,  and  after  taking  from  it  the  bill,  which 
she  handed  Beatrice,  proceeded  to  display  the  goods. 

Beatrice  had  blushed  on  receiving  the  bill ;  her  grand- 
mother took  it  from  her  hands  and  uttered  an  exclama- 
tion of  surprise. 

"  Thirty  two  francs  to  dress  a  little  beggar !  Madam 
Juivet,"  added  she,  in  a  severe  tone,  "  you  have  taken 
advantage  of  my  grandchildren's  ignorance ;  you  know 
very  well  that  these  materials  are  entirely  too  expensive 
for  our  purpose.  You  will  take  them  all  back,  and  know 
that  hereafter  we  deal  no  more  with  you." 

"  Madam,"  said  Madam  Juivet,  with  restrained  wrath, 
"  these  young  ladies  consulted  their  own  tastes,  I  did  not 
make  the  selection  of  a  single  article." 

"  But  you  ought  to  have  shown  them  only  what  was 
10 


110          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

suitable,  and  not  have  tried  to  palm  off  on  them  your  old 
merchandise  that  no  one  wants." 

"  Madam,  these  young  ladies  having  bought  my  goods, 
ought  to  pay  for  them." 

"  They  will  pay  for  none  of  them,"  replied  the  grand- 
mother, in  a  tone  of  severity,  "  and  you  may  take  them 
all  baok.  Go,  immediately ;  I  shall  send  my  maid  to 
make  the  necessary  purchases  of  Madam  Jourdan." 

Madam  Juivet  retired  in  a  terrible  rage.  I  accompa- 
nied her  to  the  road,  braying  triumphantly  and  frisking 
around  her,  much  to  the  children's  amusement  and  her 
own  terror,  for  feeling  guilty,  she  feared  my  vengeance, 
as  everybody  considered  me  somewhat  of  a  sorcerer,  and 
consequently  evil  doers  stood  greatly  in  awe  of  me. 

The  mammas  scolded  the  children,  the  boys  laughed  at 
them  ;  as  for  me,  I  quietly  nibbled  the  grass,  and  watched 
them  run,  skip  and  play.  Listening  meantime  to  all 
that  was  said  (for  I  always  took  good  care  to  keep  within 
hearing  distance).  I  learned  that  next  day  there  was  to 
be  a  gunning  party,  that  Henry  and  William  were  to 
have  little  muskets  for  the  occasion,  and  also,  that  one  of 
their  young  neighbors  was  invited  to  join  them. 


XV. 

THE  GUNNING  PARTY. 

As  I  have  already  remarked  there  was  to  be  agr.nning 
expedition  next  day,  William  and  Henry  were  ready 
before  anyone  else — it  was  their  first  appearance  as  gun- 
ners— so  equipped  with  guns  and  game  bags,  their  eyea 
sparkling  with  pleasure,  they  strutted  around  in  a  proud, 
defiant  manner,  as  if  they  expected  to  shoot  all  the  game 
in  the  country.  I  followed  at  a  distance,  and  observed 
all  their  preparations  for  the  expedition. 

"  William,"  said  Henry  in  a  thoughtful  manner, 
"  when  our  game  bags  are  full,  where  shall  we  put  the 
rest  of  our  game  ?  " 

"  That  is  just  what  I  was  thinking  of,"  answered  Wil- 
liam, "  I  will  ask  papa  to  let  us  take  Cadichon." 

This  idea  did  not  please  me  at  all ;  1  knew  that  young 
gunners  fired  a  little  at  random  and  in  aiming  at  a  par- 
tridge, they  might  send  the  load  into  me,  so  1  anxiously 
awaited  the  result  of  the  request. 

"  Papa,"  said  William  to  his  father  who  approached, 
"  may  we  take  Cadichon  ?  " 

"  For  what  ? "  answered  the  father  laughing,  "  do  you 
wish  to  gun  on  donkey  back,  and  pursue  the  partridges 

(in) 


112         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

in  their  flight?  If  so,  you  must  first  put  wings  to 
Cadichon." 

"  No,  papa,"  said  Henry,  a  little  vexed,  "  we  want  him 
to  carry  our  game  when  our  pouches  are  too  full." 

"  To  carry  your  game  ! "  replied  his  father  greatly  sur- 
prised and  still  laughing.  "  You  think  then,  poor  inno- 
cents, you  are  going  to  kill  not  only  something,  but  a 
great  deal!" 

"  Certainly  papa,"  was  Henry's  piqued  reply,  "  I  have 
twenty  cartridges  in  my  vest,  and  1  shall  kill  fifteen 
pieces  of  game,  at  least." 

"Ah !  ah !  ah !  that  is  really  a  good  joke !  Do  you 
know  what  you  will  kill,  you  two  and  your  friend 
Alfred?" 

"What  papa," 

"  Time  and  nothing  else." 

"Well  papa,"  said  Henry,  very  much  annoyed,  "  why 
do  you  give  us  guns,  and  take  us  out  gunning,  if  you 
think  us  so  stupid  and  awkward  as  to  kill  nothing  ?  " 

"  To  teach  you  to  gun,  little  dunces,  nobody  is  a  suc- 
cessful gunner  at  first,  one  becomes  so  only  by  dint  of 
practice." 

Here  the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  arrival 
of  Alfred,  also  ready  to  shoot  all  he  came  across.  Wil- 
liam and  Henry  were  Btill  flushed  with  indignation 
when  Alfred  joined  them. 

"  Papa  thinks  we  are  not  going  to  shoot  anything, 
Alfred,"  said  William,  "  we'll  convince  him  that  we  are 
better  gunners  than  he  thinks." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         113 

"  Don't  worry  about  it ;  we  shall  kill  more  than  them- 
selves," replied  Alfred. 

"  Why  more  ?  "  inquired  Henry. 

"  Because  we  are  young,  active  and  nimble,  whilst  our 
papas  are  getting  a  little  old." 

"Yes  indeed,"  said  Henry,  "my  papa  is  forty-two 
years  old,  whilst  William  is  fifteen  and  I  thirteen.  What 
a  difference ! " 

*'  And  between  my  papa  and  me  too !  He  is  forty-three, 
whilst  I  am  but  fourteen  !  "  said  Alfred. 

"  Listen  to  me,"  said  William,  "  without  telling  papa, 
I  am  going  to  have  Cadichon  saddled  and  the  panniers 
put  on  him.  He  will  follow  us,  and  we  will  make  him 
carry  our  game." 

"  Oh,  that  is  splendid ! "  replied  Alfred,  "  but  put  on 
the  big  panniers,  for  if  we  were  to  kill  a  buck  it  would 
take  up  a  great  deal  of  room." 

Henry  was  charged  with  the  commission.  1  laughed 
to  myself  at  their  foresight,  for  I  was  very  sure  not  only 
of  not  being  loaded  with  a  buck,  but  of  returning  with 
panniers  as  empty  as  at  my  departure. 

"  Ready  ! "  said  the  papas.  "  We  will  go  ahead,  and 
you  boys  keep  near.  We  will  disband  on  getting  into 
the  field." 

"  What  does  this  mean,  Cadichon  following  us? "  said 
William's  father  in  great  surprise,  "Cadichon  orna- 
mented with  two  enormous  baskets ! " 

"  Those  baskets,"  said  the  game-keeper  laughing,  "  are 
to  carry  the  young  gentlemen's  game." 


114         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"Ah!  ah!  they  wish  to  put  him  at  their  head — 1 
would  prefer  Cadichon's  following  (if  he  has  nothing  else 
to  do,)  instead  of  taking  the  lead,"  replied  William's 
father. 

And  he  smiled  as  he  glanced  at  William  and  Henry, 
who  tried  to  look  very  indifferent. 

"  Is  your  gun  cocked,  William?  "  inquired  Henry. 

"  Not  yet,  it  is  so  hard  to  cock  and  uncock,  that  I  pre- 
fer waiting  till  a  partridge  starts  up." 

"  We  are  now  in  the  field,"  said  their  papa,  "  keep  in 
a  line  and  shoot  ahead,  straight  ahead  of  you,  not  to  the 
right  or  the  left,  unless  you  want  to  kill  some  of  us." 

The  partridges  flew  up  on  all  sides ;  I  remained  pru- 
dently behind,  and  even  at  a  little  distance,  finding  it 
advisable,  for  more  than  one  dog  that  happened  to  be  in 
the  way,  got  a  few  grains  of  shot.  The  dogs  scented  the 
game,  started  it  up,  and  did  their  duty  in  every  respect, 
reports  of  muskets  were  heard  all  along  the  line.  I  did 
not  lose  sight  of  my  three  young  boasters,  they  fired  often, 
but  got  nothing,  none  of  the  three  even  touched  a  hare 
or  partridge.  Their  impatience  was  so  great  that  they 
always  fired  out  of  range,  either  too  far  or  too  near; 
sometimes  all  three  aimed  in  vain  at  the  same  partridge. 
The  papas  on  the 'contrary,  were  having  fine  sport,  each 
report  of  the  gun  representing  an  addition  to  their  game 
bags.  In  about  two  hours,  Henry  and  William's  papa 
came  up  to  them. 

"  Well,  children,"  said  he,  "  is  Cadichon  very  heavily 
laden  3  Is  there  still  room  for  me  to  empty  my  game 
bag  ?  for  it  is  too  full." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         115 

There  was  no  answer ;  the  boys  knew  from  their 
father's  mischievous  manner,  that  he  was  making  sport 
of  them.  As  for  me,  I  came  running  up,  and  turned  one 
of  the  baskets  towards  him. 

"  How  is  this  ? "  said  he,  "  empty!  your  game  bags  will 
burst  if  you  cram  them." 

The  game  bags  were  flat.  Laughing  at  the  young 
gunners'  discomfitted  air,  he  emptied  his  birds  into  one 
of  my  baskets  and  hastened  to  his  dog  which  was  start- 
ing more  game. 

"  I  see  how  your  father  kills  so  many  partridges,"  said 
Alfred;  "  he  has  two  dogs  that  scare  up  the  game  and 
bring  it  to  him,  when  he  kills  it ;  as  for  us,  they  have 
not  left  us  even  one  dog." 

"That  is  true,"  replied  Henry,  "perhaps  we  have 
killed  a  number  of  partridges,  but  have  lost  them  for 
want  of  a  dog  to  bring  them  to  us." 

"  But  I  have  not  seen  any  fall,"  said  William.    ' 
"Because  a  partridge  does  not  fall  as  soon  as  it  is 
shot,"  said  Alfred,  "  It  flies  a  little  and  falls  some  dis- 
tance off." 

"But  when  papa  and  my  uncles  shoot,"  persisted 
William,  "  their  partridges  fall  immediately." 

"  It  seems  so  to  you,"  explained  Alfred,  "  because  you 
are  some  ways  off,  but  if  you  were  in  their  place,  you 
would  notice  the  difference." 

William  said  nothing,  but  his  manner  betrayed  very 
little  confidence  in  Alfred's  words.  They  had  all  begun 
to  leave  off  somewhat  of  the  proud,  soldierly  air  with 
which  they  sallied  forth  as  gunners. 


116         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

They  commenced  to  inquire  the  hour. 

"  I  am  hungry,"  said  Henry. 

"  I  am  thirsty,"  said  Alfred. 

"I  am  tired,"  said  William. 

As  to  the  papas,  they  fired  and  killed,  and  had  plenty 
of  luck.  However,  not  forgetting  their  young  compan- 
ions, and  not  wishing  to  fatigue  them  too  much,  they 
proposed  a  halt  for  breakfast,  which  met  with  universal 
approbation.  Calling  in  the  dogs  from  the  field  to  rest 
for  awhile,  they  all  directed  their  steps  towards  a  farm 
about  a  hundred  steps  off,  where  the  grandmother  had 
sent  the  provisions. 

They  seated  themselves  on  the  ground  under  an  old 
oak,  and  opened  the  baskets,  which  displayed  as  usual  on 
such  occasions,  a  chicken  pie,  a  ham,  hard  eggs,  cheese, 
marmalade,  preserves,  a  big  bun,  an  enormous  cake  and 
several  bottles  of  old  wine.  All  the  gunners,  young  and 
old,  had  fine  appetites,  and  ate  enough  to  have  aston- 
ished a  spectator.  Yet  the  grandmother  had  provided 
so  bountifully  for  the  needs  of  the  most  voracious,  that 
half  the  provisions  remained  for  the  game-keepers  and 
farm  people.  The  dogs  had  the  scraps  to  appease  their 
hunger  and  pond  water  to  quench  their  thirst. 

"  You  have  not  had  much  luck,  children,"  said  Alfred's 
papa.  "  Cadichon  does  not  move  as  if  he  were  heavily 
laden." 

"  It  is  no  wonder,  papa,  we  had  no  dogs,  you  had  them 
all." 

"Ah !  you  think  then  that  one,  two  or  three  dogs  would 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         117 

have  insured  the  death  of  all  the  partridges  that  passed 
under  your  nose." 

"  No,  papa,  they  would  not  have  killed  the  partridges, 
but  they  would  have  sought  and  brought  us  those  we  had 
killed,  and  then—" 

"  Those  you  killed  ! "  interrupted  the  father,  with  an 
air  of  astonishment.  "Do  you  really  think  you  have 
killed  any  birds?" 

"  Certainly,  papa,  only  as  we  did  not  see  them  fall,  we 
could  not  pick  them  up." 

"And  do  you  suppose  you  would  not  have  seen  them  if 
they  had  fallen  ? " 

"  No,  papa,  for  our  sight  is  not  as  keen  as  that  of  the 
dogs." 

At  this,  the  father,  the  uncles,  and  even  the  game- 
keepers, burst  into  a  loud  laugh,  whilst  the  children  red- 
dened with  vexation. 

"  Now  listen,"  said  William  and  Henry's  father, 
"  since  you  lose  your  game  for  want  of  dogs,  we  are  going 
to  let  you  have  a  dog,  when  we  get  through  breakfast 
and  commence  to  gun  again." 

"But,  papa,"  said  William,  "the  dogs  will  not  follow 
us,  they  do  not  know  us  as  well  as  they  do  you." 

"  To  make  them  follow  you,  we  will  give  you  the  two 
attendants,  and  we  will  not  start  for  a  half  hour  after 
you,  and  then  the  dogs  will  not  be  tempted  to  rejoin  us." 

"  Oh  !  thanks,  papa,"  exclaimed  William,  radiant  with 
joy.  "  With  the  dogs  we  are  sure  to  kill  as  many  as 
vou!" 


118          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

Breakfast  over  and  all  rested,  the  young  gunners  were 
eager  to  set  out  with  the  dogs  and  the  guards. 

"  Now  we  look  like  real  gunners,"  said  they,  with  an 
air  of  satisfaction. 

And  we  tried  the  field  again,  I  following  them  as 
before  breakfast,  but  always  at  a  little  distance.  The 
guards  had  been  told  to  keep  near  the  children  in  order 
to  prevent  any  imprudence.  The  partridges  flew  up  on 
all  sides  as  in  the  morning,  the  young  gentlemen  fired  as 
in  the  morning,  and  with  like  success.  Yet  the  dogs  did 
their  duty,  they  sought,  they  stopped  the  birds,  but 
brought  none,  for  this  reason  only,  there  were  none  to 
bring.  At  last,  Alfred  impatient  at  firing  to  no  purpose 
and  seeing  one  of  the  dogs  standing  the  game,  concluded 
that  he  would  fire  before  the  partridges  had  flown  up,  and 
thus  secure  his  prize  indeed.  He  aimed,  he  fired — the 
dog  fell,  struggling  and  uttering  a  piercing  howl. 

"  Zounds !  it  is  our  best  dog !  "  exclaimed  the  game- 
keeper rushing  towards  it. 

But  the  dog  was  dead  ere  he  reached  it,  it  had  been 
shot  in  the  head  and  died  almost  instantly. 

"  You  made  a  fine  shot  that  time,  master  Alfred."  said 
the  guard,  laying  the  poor  animal  down,  "1  suppose  that 
ends  the  gunning." 

Alfred  was  motionless  with  consternation,  William  and 
Henry  seemed  much  affected  at  the  dog's  death,  whilst 
the  gamekeeper  concealed  his  wrath  and  looked  at  the 
poor  creature  without  saying  a  word. 

I  approached  to  see  which  dog  had  been  the  miserable 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         119 

victim  of  Alfred's  awkwardness  and  conceit,  and  what 
was  not  my  sorrow,  my  anguish,  on  recognizing  Medor, 
my  friend,  my  dearest  friend !  and  oh !  imagine  my  hor- 
ror to  see  the  guard  lift  Medor  up,  and  put  him  in  one 
of  the  baskets  on  my  back !  Ah !  behold  the  game  I 
was  condemned  to  carry,  Medor,  my  friend,  murdered  by 
a  bad,  stupid,  conceited  boy ! 

We  returned  to  the  farm  not  quite  so  merry  as  we  left, 
the  children  not  speaking  a  word,  the  guard  occasionally 
letting  fall  a  furious  oath,  and  I  feeling  no  consolation, 
except  in  the  thought  of  the  severe,  humiliating  repri- 
mand the  murderer  would  surely  receive. 

On  reaching  the  farm  we  found  the  papas  still  there, 
for  not  having  their  dogs,  they  preferred  to  rest  till  the 
children's  return. 

"Already !  "  they  exclaimed  at  the  sight  of  us. 

"  I  really  believe,"  said  William's  papa,  "  they  have 
killed  a  big  piece  of  game  of  some  sort.  Cadichon  walks 
as  if  he  had  a  load,  and  one  of  the  baskets  hangs  as  if  it 
contained  something  heavy." 

They  arose  and  came  towards  us,  but  the  children, 
with  rueful  countenances,  lagged  behind.  Their  parents 
were  struck  with  their  demeanor,  what  could  it  mean  ? 

"  They  certainly  have  not  the  air  of  victors,"  said 
Alfred's  father,  laughing. 

"  Perhaps  they  have  killed  a  calf  or  a  sheep,  mistaking 
it  for  a  rabbit,"  answered  William's  papa,  also  laughing 

The  gamekeeper  approached. 

"  What's  the  matter,  Michaud  ?  you  look  as  downcast 
as  the  gunners." 


120          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"And  with  cause,  sir,  we  bring  a  sad  game." 

"  Tell  us  what  it  is  then,  a  sheep,  a  calf,  a  donkey?  " 

"Ah !  sir,  it  is  nothing  to  laugh  at,  it  is  your  dog, 
Medor,  the  very  best  of  the  band,  that  master  Alfred  has 
killed,  taking  him  for  a  partridge." 

"  Medor !  Oh !  the  awkward  boy !  if  ever  he  guns 
here  again — "  exclaimed  the  poor  dog's  master. 

"  Come  here,  Alfred,"  said  his  father,  "  you  see  now 
the  result  of  your  conceit  and  ridiculous  presumption. 
Say  good-bye  to  your  friends,  sir ;  you  are  goin#  home 
immediately,  and  you  will  put  your  gun  away  in  my 
room,  to  touch  it  no  more  until  you  have  learned  a  little 
sense  and  modesty. 

"  But,  papa,"  answered  Alfred,  assuming  an  air  of 
indifference,  "  I  don't  know  why  you  should  get  so  angry, 
it  often  happens  that  the  dogs  are  killed  on  gunning 
parties." 

"  The  dogs !  the  dogs  are  killed ! "  exclaimed  the  stupe- 
fied father,  "  indeed  this  is  too  much !  You  have  beauti- 
ful notions  of  gunning,  sir ! " 

"  But,  papa,"  continued  Alfred,  still  apparently  indif- 
ferent, "  everybody  knows  that  very  often  the  best  gun- 
ners kill  their  dogs  accidentally." 

"  My  dear  friends,"  said  his  father,  turning  towards 
the  other  gentlemen,  "  will  you  excuse  me  for  having 
brought  such  an  ill-mannered  boy  here?  I  did  not 
believe  him  capable  of  so  much  stupidity  and  impudence." 

Then  to  his  son  : 

**  You  have  my  orders,  sir,  go  1 " 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         121 

"  But,  papa—" 

"  Silence !  I  tell  you,"  answered  the  father  in  a  tone  of 
severity,  "not  one  word,  if  you  don't  want  to  make 
acquaintance  with  my  ramrod  ! " 

Alfred  hung  his  head  and  went  off,  covered  with  con- 
fusion. 

"  You  see,  children,"  said  William  and  Henry's 
papa  to  them,  "  you  see  the  result  of  presumption ;  that 
is,  belief  in  a  merit  or  quality  which  one  does  not  possess. 
What  happened  with  Alfred,  might  have  happened  with 
you  also.  You  were  all  so  convinced  that  nothing  was 
easier  than  to  be  an  expert  marksman,  you  had  nothing 
to  do  but  to  take  aim,  and  the  game  was  yours.  You 
have  all  three  been  ridiculous  since  morning,  you  have 
despised  our  counsels,  our  experience,  and  in  fact,  you 
are  all  three  guilty  of  poor  Medor's  death.  I  see  that 
you  are  both  too  young  for  gunning.  In  a  year  or  two 
you  may  try  it  again.  Meantime,  return  to  your  gar- 
dens and  other  childish  amusements,  it  will  be  the  better 
for  everyone." 

William  and  Henry  hung  their  heads  and  made  no 
answer,  but  sadly  returned  to  the  house.  My  unfortu- 
nate friend  Medor,  whose  history  I  am  going  to  relate  to 
you,  was  buried  in  the  garden  by  the  children  them- 
selves, who  wished  to  perform  this  last  mournful  rite  for 
their  pet  After  reading  the  following  sketch  of  his  life, 
you  will  see  why  I  loved  him  so  much. 


XVI. 

MED  OR. 

I  HAD  known  Medor  a  long  time ;  I  was  young,  and 
he  still  younger,  when  we  became  acquainted  and  formed 
mutual  and  inalterable  attachment.  I  was  then  living 
miserably  with  those  wretched  farmers  who  had  bought 
me  from  a  dealer  in  donkeys,  and  from  whom  I  escaped 
so  cleverly.  I  was  quite  thin,  for  really  they  never  gave 
me  enough  to  eat.  Medor  (presented  to  them  as  a  good 
watch  dog,  and  afterwards  proving  himself  a  superb 
hunting  dog)  fared  better  than  I ;  he  amused  the  chil- 
dren, who  often  gave  him  bread  and  scraps  of  their  meals ; 
moreover,  as  he  acknowledged  to  me  himself,  whenever  it 
was  possible,  he  used  to  slip  into  the  dairy  with  the  mis- 
tress or  servant,  where  he  was  always  sure  to  find  some 
means  of  lapping  a  little  milk  or  cream,  and  seizing  the 
particles  of  butter  which  fell  from  the  churn.  Medor 
was  kind ;  my  lean,  miserable  appearance  excited  his 
pity,  and  one  day  he  brought  me  a  piece  of  bread,  pre- 
senting it  with  a  most  triumphant  air. 

"  Eat,  my  poor  friend,"  said  he,  in  his  language,  "  I 
have  bread  enough  given  me  for  my  own  sustenance,  and 
you,  you  have  only  thistles  and  poor  grass,  and  hard]y 
enough  of  these  to  keep  you  alive." 

(122) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         123 

"  Good  Medor,"  said  I,  "  I  am  sure  you  have  deprived 
yourself  of  this  for  me.  I  do  not  suffer  so  much  as  you 
think,  for  I  am  used  to  meagre  fare,  little  sleep,  much 
work,  and  hard  beatings." 

"I  am  not  hungry,  my  friend,"  replied  Medor,  "I  assure 
you,  I  am  not  hungry.  Prove  your  friendship  for  me  by 
accepting  my  little  present.  It  is  trifling  I  know,  but  I 
offer  it  willingly,  and  if  you  persist  in  refusing,  I  shall 
feel  quite  grieved." 

"Then  I  accept,  my  kind  Medor,"  said  I,  "because  I 
am  fond  of  you,  and  I  must  confess,  that  I  shall  relish  it 
greatly,  for  I  am  hungry." 

And  I  ate  the  bread  good  Medor  had  brought  me,  he 
keenly  enjoying  the  eagerness  with  which  I  crunched  and 
swallowed  it.  I  felt  thoroughly  revived  by  this  unac- 
customed repast,  and  said  so  to  Medor,  believing  I  could 
thus  best  express  my  gratitude.  The  result  was  charac- 
teristic of  Medor,  every  day  he  brought  me  the  biggest 
piece  of  bread  given  him.  In  the  evening,  he  used  to 
come  and  lie  down  beside  me  under  the  tree  or  bush  I 
had  selected  for  my  night's  shelter,  and  we  thus  enjoyed 
many  a  pleasant  conversation.  Had  no  one  suspected, 
or  could  have  understood,  for  we  conversed  without  talk- 
ing. We  other  animals,  we  do  not  pronounce  our  words 
like  men,  but  we  understand  one  another  by  winks, 
motions  of  the  head,  the  ears,  the  tail,  and  we  converse 
among  ourselves  as  readily  as  men. 

One  evening  Medor  came  to  me  quite  sad  and  de- 
jected. 


124         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"My  friend,"  said  he,  I  fear  I  shall  no  longer  be  able 
to  bring  you  a  part  of  my  bread ;  my  masters  have  de- 
cided that  1  am  big  enough  to  be  tied  all  day,  and  let  loose 
only  at  night.  Moreover,  my  mistress  has  scolded  the 
children  for  giving  me  so  much  bread ;  she  has  forbidden 
them  to  feed  me  at  all,  because  she  wishes  to  feed  me  her- 
6elf  and  that  sparely,  to  make  me  a  good  watch  dog,  she 


"My  kind  Medor,"  said  I,  "if  it  is  the  thought  of  my 
losing  the  bread  that  frets  you,  compose  yourself,  1  no 
longer  need  it,  for  this  morning  I  discovered  a  hole  in 
the  side  of  the  hay  rack,  from  which  I  have  already  help- 
ed myself  to  a  little  hay,  and  I  find  that  I  can  easily  do 
so  every  day." 

"  Indeed ! "  exclaimed  Medor,  "I  am  so  glad !  but  yet  it 
gave  me  such  pleasure  to  share  my  bread  with  yon.  And 
then  to  be  tied  all  day,  and  see  you  only  at  night,  it  is 
really  sad ! " 

"We  conversed  a  long  time  and  it  was  very  late  when 
he  left  me. 

"I  shall  have  time  enough  to  sleep  during  the  day," 
said  he,  "and  you  too,  as  you  are  not  kept  very  busy 
either  at  this  season." 

All  the  next  day  passed  indeed  without  my  seeing  poor 
Medor.  Towards  evening,  I  was  impatiently  awaiting 
him,  when  his  cries  reached  my  ears.  Running  to  the 
hedge,  I  saw  that  wicked  woman,  the  farmer's  wife  hold- 
ing my  kind  friend  by  the  skin  of  his  neck,  whilst  Edward 
beat  him  with  a  carriage  whip.  I  dashed  through  a  breach 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DOXKEY.         125 

in  the  hedge,  caught  Edward  by  the  arm,  and  bit  him  in 
such  a  fashion  that  the  whip  fell  from  his  hands.  The 
wicked  woman  released  her  hold  on  Medor,  who  escaped ; 
this  was  all  I  wanted,  so  I  let  go  Edward's  arm,  and  was 
about  returning  to  my  enclosure,  when  I  felt  myself  seized 
by  the  ears.  It  was  the  farmer's  wife,  who  in  a  rage 
called  out  to  Edward  : 

"Give  me  the  big  whip,  till  I  beat  this  vicious  animal ! 
There  never  was  a  worse  donkey  in  the  world !  Give  it 
to  me,  or  whack  him  yourself  1 " 


"  I  can't  lift  my  arm,"  said  Edward  in  tears,  "  it  ia 
numb." 

Seizing  the  whip  that  lay  on  the  ground,  she  ran  at  me 
to  avenge  her  cruel  son.  I  was  not  fool  enough  to  wait 
for  her,  you  may  be  sure.  Just  as  she  had  nearly  caught 
me,  I  made  a  leap  and  left  her  some  distance  behind,  she 
continued  to  pursue  me,  and  I  to  escape,  taking  great 
care  to  keep  myself  out  of  reach  .of  the  whip.  This  race 
amused  me  very  much  ;  I  saw  my  mistress's  wrath  increase 
in  proportion  to  her  fatigue.  I  could  run  and  sweat 
without  doing  myself  the  slightest  harm,  whilst  she,  cov- 
ered with  perspiration,  was  completely  exhausted,  with- 


126 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 


out  having  had  the  pleasure  of  giving  me  even  one  lash 
of  the  whip.  My  friend  was  sufficiently  avenged  when 
our  promenade  ended.  I  sought  him  with  my  eyes 
(for  I  had  seen  him  run  towards  my  enclosure),  but  in 
vain,  he  was  afraid  to  show  himself  before  the  departure 
of  his  cruel  mistress. 
"  You  wretch !  cried  the  enraged  woman  as  she  turned 


to  leave,  "  I  will  pay  you  up  for  all  this  when  I  get  yon 
under  the  saddle!"  and  she  went  towards  the  house, 
whilst  I  remained  alone. 

I  now  ventured  to  call  Medor.  He  timidly  lifted  his 
head  from  the  hole  in  which  he  had  sought  refuge.  I 
ran  to  him. 

"  Come,"  said  I,  "  she  is  gone.  What  did  you  do  ? 
why  did  Edward  beat  you  2 " 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         127 

"  Because  I  seized  a  piece  of  bread  one  of  the  children 
had  dropped  on  the  ground.  She  saw  me,  darted  at  me, 
and  calling  Edward,  told  him  to  beat  me  unmercifully." 

"  Did  no  one  try  to  defend  you  ?  " 

"  Defend  me  indeed !  they  all  cried  out,  that's  right ! 
whip  him  Edward,  so  he  won't  do  it  again.  'Keep 
qniet,'  said  Edward,  '  I  shall  not  go  half  way  in  the  mat- 
ter, you'll  hear  how  I  can  make  him  sing.'  And  at  my 
first  cry,  they  all  clapped  their  hands,  exclaiming  bravo ! 
bravo!" 

"Wicked  little  creatures!"  cried  I.  "But  why  did 
you  take  the  bread,  Medor  ?  Had  they  not  given  you 
your  supper  ? " 

"  Yes  indeed,  I  had  already  eaten,  but  the  bread  in  my 
soup  was  in  such  small  pieces,  that  I  could  not  get  any 
of  it  out  for  you,  but,  if  I  could  have  carried  off  that  big 
piece  the  child  dropped,  you  would  have  had  a  delight- 
ful repast." 

"  My  poor  Medor !  and  it  was  for  me  you  were  beaten ! 
Thanks,  my  friend,  thanks;  I  shall  never  forget  your 
kindness  1  But  let  me  entreat  you  to  not  repeat  it !  Do 
you  suppose  that  that  bread  would  have  given  me  any 
pleasure,  if  I  had  known  what  risks  you  ran  to  get  it  ? 
I  would  rather  a  hundred  times  live  on  thistles,  knowing 
that  you  were  well  treated  and  happy." 

We  conversed  a  long  time,  and  I  made  Medor  promise 
never  again  to  incur  the  danger  of  a  beating  on  my 
account ;  I  also  promised  him  that  I  would  play  all  sorts 
of  tricks  on  these  people,  and  I  kept  my  word.  One  day 


128         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

I  knocked  Edward  and  his  sister  into  a  puddle  of  water, 
and  then  ran  off,  leaving  them  struggling  in  the  mud. 
Another  time,  I  ran  at  the  little  three  year  old  boy,  as 
if  I  were  going  to  bite  him,  how  his  screams  of  terror 
rejoiced  my  heart!  Again, pretending  to  have  the  colic, 
I  rolled  on  the  ground  with  a  heavy  load  of  eggs  on  nay 
back;  every  egg  was  smashed.  My  mistress,  though 
furious,  did  not  dare  strike  me,  she  believed  I  was  really 
sick,  that  I  was  going  to  die,  and  they  would  lose  all  the 
money  I  had  cost  them,  so  instead  of  beating  me,  she  led 
me  back  to  the  stable,  and  gave  me  some  hay  and  bran. 
I  never  played  a  better  trick  in  my  life,  and  that  evening 
Medor  and  I  almost  hurt  ourselves  laughing  over  it. 
Another  time,  seeing  all  their  linen  spread  out  on  the 
hedge  to  dry,  I  took  every  piece  in  my  teeth,  one  by  one, 
and  threw  it  into  the  barnyard  pool.  No  one  had  seen 
me  do  this  ;  so  when  the  mistress  could  not  find  her  linen, 
and  when,  at  last  after  a  search  in  every  direction,  it  was 
discovered  just  where  I  have  told  you,  she  flew  into  a 
terrible  rage,  and  beat  the  servant,  who  beat  the  children, 
who  beat  the  cats,  the  dogs,  the  calves,  the  sheep !  Oh ! 
it  was  a  charming  uproar  to  me,  every  body  screamed 
and  was  furious.  Medor  and  I  certainly  passed  a  gay 
evening. 

In  my  subsequent  reflexions  upon  these  wicked  deeds, 
I  have  sincerely  reproached  myself,  for  I  revenged  upon 
the  innocent  the  faults  of  the  guilty.  Medor  sometimes 
censured  me  and  advised  moderation,  but  no,  I  would  not 
listen,  every  day  I  got  worse  and  worse,  only  however  to 


CL29) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         131 

suffer  for  it,  my  evil  conduct  bringing  its  own  punish- 
ment as  you  will  learn  hereafter. 

One  day  (and  a  sad  day  it  was  for  me,)  a  gentleman 
who  was  passing  took  a  fancy  to  Medor  and  offered  the 
farmer  a  hundred  francs  for  him.  The  farmer,  believing 
him  a  dog  of  very  little  account,  was  delighted,  and  my 
poor  friend  with  a  rope  around  his  neck,  disappeared 
with  his  new  master,  He  cast  a  sorrowful  glance  at  me, 
and  in  vain  did  I  run  from  one  side  of  the  hedge  to  the 
other  seeking  a  passage,  every  breach  was  closed,  and  I 
had  not  even  the  consolation  of  bidding  my  dear  Medor 
farewell.  From  that  day,  life  there  was  almost  insup- 
portable. Medor's  departure  was  just  before  the  little 
episode  of  market  day,  and  my  subsequent  flight  into  the 
forest  of  St.  Evroult,  which  I  have  already  related. 
During  the  years  that  followed,  I  often,  very  often 
thought  of  my  friend,  and  the  pleasure  it  would  be  to  see 
him  again,  but  where  seek  him?  for  I  knew  his  new 
master  did  not  live  in  that  part  of  the  country,  but  was 
only  there  on  a  visit  to  some  friends. 

Judge  of  my  happiness,  some  time  after  little  James 
had  brought  me  to  your  grandmother's,  at  seeing  arrive 
with  your  uncle  and  cousins  William  and  Henry,  my 
friend,  my  dear  friend  Medor!  He  recognized  me  at 
once,  and  covered  me  with  caresses,  I  responding  to  them, 
and  following  him  everywhere.  Our  cordiality  excited 
great  surprise,  but  all  attributed  it  to  Medor's  delight  at 
being  in  the  country,  and  mine  in  finding  a  companion 
for  my  promenades.  If  they  had  been  able  to  under- 


132          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

etand  our  long  conversation  they  would  have  known  the 
cause  of  our  mutual  affection. 

Medor  was  much  pleased  at  all  I  told  him  of  my 
present  calm  and  peaceful  life,  of  my  master's  kindness, 
of  my  excellent  and  even  glorious  reputation  throughout 
this  part  of  the  country.  He  sympathized  with  me  in 
the  recital  of  my  pitiful  adventures,  and  he  laughed, 
though  blaming  me,  at  the  tricks  I  had  played  on  the 
farmer  who  bought  me  from  George's  father.  He  actually 
was  puffed  up  with  pride  when  I  told  him  of  my  victory 
at  the  race ;  he  deplored  the  ingratitude  of  poor  Pauline's 
parents,  and  shed  tears  over  the  sad  fate  of  that  unhappy 
child. 


XVII. 

THE  SCHOOL  CHILDREN. 

ONE  day  Medor  strayed  off  from  the  house  where  he 
had  been  born,  and  had  always  lived  quite  comfortably. 
He  was  in  pursuit  of  a  cat  that  had  stolen  a  piece  of 
meat  given  him  by  the  cook,  who  thought  it  a  little 
tainted.  Medor,  not  being  so  delicate,  had  just  put  it 
down  by  his  kennel,  when  a  cat  concealed  near  by,  darted 
at  the  meat  and  carried  it  off,  much  to  my  friend's  indig- 
nation, as  he  was  not  often  regaled  on  such  luxuries.  He 
pursued  the  thief  with  all  the  speed  of  his  limbs,  and 
would  soon  have  caught  her,  if,  wicked  cat  that  she  was, 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         133 

she  had  not  bethought  herself  of  climbing  a  tree.  Medor, 
of  course  could  not  follow,  and  he  was  tantalized  with 
seeing  her  devour  before  his  eyes,  the  delicious  morsel  of 
which  she  had  robbed  him.  Justly  irritated  at  such 
effrontery,  he  remained  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  barking, 
growling  and  uttering  a  thousand  reproaches.  This 
attracted  the  attention  of  some  children  just  out  of 
school,  and  they  united  with  Medor  in  annoying  her. 
They  even  attacked  her  with  stones  until  at  last  it  was  a 
veritable  shower.  The  cat  climbed  higher,  and  tried  to 
conceal  herself  in  the  thickest  foliage.  But  this  did  not 
stop  them,  the  shower  of  stones  continued,  accompanied 
by  loud  hurrahs,  whenever  a  plaintiff  mewing  informed 
her  persecutors  that  she  had  been  hit. 

Medor  began  to  weary  of  this  game ;  the  enemy's 
touching  cries  had  appeased  his  wrath  and  he  feared  that 
the  children  were  too  cruel.  To  end  their  sport  he  com- 
menced to  bark  at  them,  and  pull  them  by  the  blouse, 
but  it  had  no  effect,  save  that  of  causing  a  few  stones  to 
be  directed  against  himself.  At  last,  a  hoarse,  horrible 
cry,  followed  by  a  rustling  among  the  branches,  an- 
nounced their  success,  the  poor  cat  was  grievously 
wounded,  and  had  fallen  from  the  tree.  One  minute 
after,  she  was  not  only  wounded,  but  dead,  her  head  hav- 
ing been  crushed  by  a  stone.  This  was  a  source  of  rejoic- 
ing to  the  mischievous  children,  who  ought  to  have  wept 
over  their  cruelty.  As  for  Medor,  he  regarded  his  enemy 
with  compassion,  and  the  boys  with  an  air  of  keen 


134          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

reproach.  Just  as  he  was  about  to  return  to  the  house, 
one  of  them  exclaimed  : 

"  Oh!  let  us  give  him  a  bath  in  the  river,  it  would  be  so 
amusing!  " 

"  Yes  indeed,  what  a  splendid  idea,"  cried  the  others, 
u  catch  him,  Frederick,  there  he  goes !  " 

Behold  Medor  pursued  by  the  cruel  rascals,  he  and 
they  running  at  full  speed.  Unfortunately,  there  were 
about  a  dozen  of  them  scattered  around,  which  obliged 
him  always  to  run  straight  ahead,  for  if  he  deviated  in 
the  least,  to  the  right  or  left,  he  could  be  surrounded  and 
his  flight  retarded  instead  of  hastened.  At  that  time  he 
was  very  young,  not  more  than  four  months  old  ;  he 
could  run  neither  very  swiftly,  nor  any  great  distance 
without  stopping,  consequently  his  pursuers  captured 
him.  One  seized  him  around  the  body,  one  by  the  tail, 
another  by  the  paw,  the  neck,  the  ears,  the  back,  they 
pulled  him  this  way  and  that,  to  amuse  themselves  with 
his  cries.  At  last,  putting  a  cord  around  his  neck  almost 
tight  enough  to  strangle  him,  they  forced  him  by  dint  of 
kicks  to  the  river.  . 

Two  of  them  were  about  to  remove  the  cord,  and 
plunge  him  in,  when  the  biggest  boy  exclaimed : 

"  Wait,  let's  tie  two  bladders  to  his  neck,  and  make 
him  swim ;  we  can  push  him  to  the  mill,  and  make  him 
pass  under  the  wheel." 

Vainly  did  poor  Medor  struggle;  what  could  he  do 
against  a  dozen  little  scamps,  the  youngest  of  them,  at 
least,  in  his  seventh  year  ?  Andrew  the  most  cruel  of  the 


They  beat  the  boys.— (Page  1370 


033) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         137 

band,  tied  the  two  bladders  around  his  neck,  and  then 
launched  him  into  the  very  middle  of  the  stream.  My 
persecuted  friend,  impelled  by  the  current,  and  still  more 
vigorously  by  the  poles  in  his  tormentors'  hands,  reached 
the  place  where  the  water  precipitates  itself  under  the 
mill  wheel.  Once  under  the  wheel,  he  would  certainly 
be  ground  to  pieces. 

The  workmen  returned  from  their  dinner,  and  one  of 
them  hastened  to  raise  the  barrier  restraining  the  water. 
Perceiving  Medor,  he  said : 

"Another  of  your  cruel  tricks,"  you  rascals ;  said  he  look- 
ing at  the  boys  who  waited  in  delightful  anticipation  of 
seeing  Medor  drawn  under  the  wheel.  "  Friends,"  he 
added,  speaking  to  his  fellow  workmen,  "come  here  and 
help  punish  these  bad  boys,  who  have  been  amusing 
themselves  trying  to  drown  a  poor  dog." 

His  comrades  ran,  and  whilst  he  saved  Medor  by  push- 
ing a  plank  towards  the  poor  creature  for  him  to  climb 
upon,  the  others  gave  chase  to  the  boys,  caught  every  one, 
and  whipped  them  well,  some  with  ropes,  some  with 
whips,  some  with  sticks.  The  cries  of  the  chastised 
children  resounded  far  and  near,  for  the  workmen  did 
not  strike  lightly.  At  last  the  job  was  finished,  and 
Medor's  persecutors  retreated,  crying,  sobbing  and  rub- 
bing their  smarting  skins. 

The  strangling  cord  around  Medor's  neck  was  cut,  and 
he  was  put  out  in  the  sun  to  dry  upon  some  hay.  He 
was  soon  dry,  and  ready  to  go  home,  but  when  the  black- 
smith led  him  back,  the  people  there  said  they  did  not 

12* 


138          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

want  him,  they  had  too  many  dogs  already,  and  they 
would  throw  him  in  the  water  with  a  stone  to  his  neck, 
if  he  were  left.  The  blacksmith  was  a  kind  man,  and 
pitying  Medor,  took  him  to  his  own  house.  But  at  sight 
of  the  dog  his  wife  got  angry,  her  husband  would  ruin 
them,  she  said,  they  had  not  the  wherewith  to  feed  a 
worthless  cur,  and,  besides,  there  was  a  tax  upon  dogs. 

Her  opposition  was  so  determined  and  so  violent  that 
her  husband  for  peace  sake  got  rid  of  Medor,  by  giving 
him  to  the  cruel  farmer  with  whom  I  then  lived,  and  who 
had  been  wanting  a  watch  dog. 

You  now  know  how  Medor  and  I  became  acquainted, 
and  also,  why  we  were  so  fondly  attached  to  each  other. 


XVIIL 

THE  BAPTISM. 

WILLIAM  and  Maud  were  to  stand  sponsors  for  a  new 
born  child,  whose  mother  had  been  Maud's  nurse.  Maud 
wanted  them  to  call  the  baby  after  her. 

"  Not  at  all,"  said  William,  "  since  I  am  godfather,  I 
have  the  right  to  name  her,  and  I  wish  to  call  her  Pier- 
ette." 

"Pierette!"  exclaimed  Maud,  "that's  a  frightful 
name !  I  don't  want  her  named  Pierrette,  she  shall  be 
called  Maud  ;  as  I  am  the  godmother,  I  am  the  one  who 
has  the  right  to  name  her." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         139 

"  No,  you  havn't,  the  godfather  has  the  best  right,  and 

I  shall  call  her  Pierrette." 

"  If  she  is  to  be  named  that,  I  won't  be  godmother." 
"  If  she  is  to  be  named  Maud,  I  won't  be  godfather." 
"  Just  as  you  please  about  that,  I  can  ask  papa  to  take 

your  place." 

"And  I,  Miss,  can  ask  mamma  to  take  your  place." 
"  Besides,  I  am  quite  sure  aunt  would  not  like  her 

called  Pierrette,  it  is  too  frightful  and  ridiculous." 

"And  I  am  sure  uncle  would  not  like  her  called  Maud, 

it  is  too  horrible  and  stupid." 

"  How  did  he  happen  to  call  me  Maud  then  ?     Go  to 

him  and  tell  him  you  think  it  is  a  horrible,  stupid  name, 

go,  my  good   man,  and  you  will   see  how  you  will  be 

received  !  " 

"  Well,  you  may  say  what  you  please,  but  I  say  I  will 

not  be  godfather  for  any  Maud." 

"  Papa,"  said  Maud    mischievously,  running  to  her 

father,  "  will  you  stand  godfather  with   me  for  little 

Maud  ? " 

"  What  Maud,  dear  pet  ?  I  know  110  Maud  but  you." 
"  My  little  godchild,  papa,  that  I  want  called  Maud 

when  she  is  baptized  to-day." 

"  But  William  is  to  stand  with  you,  and  there  cannot 

be  two  godfathers." 

"  Papa,  William  does  not  wish  to  be  godfather." 

"  Why  ?  what  is  the  meaning  of  this  whim  ? " 

"  Because  he  thinks  Maud  a  horrible  stupid  name,  and 

wants  to  call  her  Pierrette." 


140         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  Pierrette !  that  would  be  horrible  and  stupid  indeed ! " 

"  It  is  just  what  I  told  him  papa,  but  he  would  not 
believe  me." 

"  Listen,  my  daughter,  try  to  reason  with  your  cousin, 
and  if  he  insists  upon  not  being  godfather  unless  the 
baby  is  named  Pierrette,  I  will  cheerfully  stand  in  place 
of  him." 

During  Maud's  conversation  with  her  father,  William 
had  run  to  his  mother. 

"  Mamma,"  said  he,  "  will  you  stand  godmother  with 
me  in  Maud's  place,  for  the  little  girl  that  is  to  be  bap- 
tized to-day." 

"  Why  is  not  Maud  going  to  stand?  it  was  a  request  of 
the  baby's  mother  that  she  would." 

"  Mamma,  Maud  wants  the  baby  named  after  her,  I 
think  her  name  too  ugly,  and  as  I  am  godfather,  I  want 
the  baby  called  Pierrette." 

"  Pierrette !  that  is  frightful,  William  is  pretty,  but 
Pierrette  is  ridiculous ! " 

"  Oh  !  mamma,  please  call  her  Pierrette — At  any  rate, 
I  don't  want  her  called  Maud." 

"  But  if  neither  of  you  will  give  up,  how  will  you  fix 
matters  ?  '• 

"  Mamma,  that  is  why  I  came  to  ask  you  to  stand  for 
little  Pierrette  in  place  of  Maud  ? " 

"My  poor  William,  I  must  tell  you  frankly,  that  I 
want  no  more  of  this  Pierrette,  the  name  is  too  ridicu- 
lous, besides,  the  child's  mother  was  Maud's  nurse,  not 
yours,  and  you  know  very  well,  that  she  desires  most 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         141 

particularly  to  have  Maud  for  godmother.  For  my  part, 
I  think  she  would  be  pleased  to  have  the  baby  called 
Maud." 

"  Then,  I  can't  be  godfather." 

At  this  instant  Maud  ran  up,  exclaiming : 

"  Well,  William,  have  you  decided  \  We  start  in  an 
hour,  and  must  have  a  godfather." 

"  I  am  willing  for  her  not  to  be  called  Pierrette,  but 
I  am  not  willing  for  her  to  be  called  Maud." 

"  Well,  since  you  have  given  up  Pierrette,  I  will  give 
up  Maud.  But  let  us  ask  nurse  what  name  she  wants 
baby  called." 

"  You  are  right ;  go  ask  her." 

Maud  went  running  off  to  the  baby's  mother  and  soon 
came  back. 

"  William,  William,"  she  exclaimed,  "  nurse  wants  her 
little  daughter  named  Marie  Maud." 

"  Did  you  inquire  if  she  ought  not  to  be  called  Pier- 
rette, as  I  am  godfather  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  asked  her,  and  she  burst  out  laughing; 
mamma  laughed  too ;  they  both  said  it  was  impossible, 
Pierrette  was  too  ugly." 

William  blushed  slightly,  however,  as  he  himself  had 
began  to  think  Pierrette  ridiculous,  he  sighed  and  said 
nothing  more  on  that  subject. 

"  Where  are  the  sugar  plums  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  In  a  big  basket  that  will  be  taken  to  the  church,  the 
boxes  and  wrappings  are  left  here.  They  are  all  ready, 
let  us  see  how  many  there  are."  And  they  ran  to  the 
hall  where  everything  was  in  readiness. 


142          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"What  are  these  pennies  for?"  inquired  William, 
"there  seem  to  be  nearly  as  many  as  sugar  plums." 

"  They  are  to  be  thrown  to  the  school  children,"  said 
Maud. 

"  The  school  children  ?  Are  we  going  to  the  school 
after  the  baptism  ? " 

"  No,  we  are  to  throw  these  from  the  church  door, 
where  all  the  school  children  collect  on  such  occasions ; 
we  throw  them  by  the  handful,  and  the  children  catch 
them  or  pick  them  up  from  the  ground." 

"  Did  you  ever  see  it  done  ?  " 

"  Never,  but  I  have  heard  that  it  is  very  amusing." 

"  I  do  not  think  I  would  like  it,  for  I  know  very  well 
the  children  fight  and  get  hurt ;  besides  I  do  not  like 
the  idea  of  flinging  things  to  children  as  if  they  were 
dogs." 

"  Maud,  William,  come  see  the  baby,  it  has  just  arrived ; 
we  start  shortly,"  cried  Beatrice,  out  of  breath. 

Both  of  them  ran,  trying  to  reach  the  baby  first. 

"  Oh !  how  fine  our  godchild  is  !  "  said  William. 

"  Yes,  indeed,"  replied  Maud, "  she  has  a  dress  embroid- 
ered all  around,  a  lace  bonnet,  and  a  cloak  lined  with 
pink  silk." 

"  Did  you  give  her  all  those  pretty  things  ? " 

"  Oh !  no,  I  had  not  enough  money ;  mamma  paid  for 
everything  except  the  bonnet  and  I  paid  for  it." 

All  was  ready ;  though  the  weather  was  fine  the  car- 
riage was  brought  out  for  the  baby  and  its  nurse,  and 
the  sponsors  only.  Maud  and  William  were  in  the  car- 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  14:3 

riage  like  important  personages.  They  started.  I,  har- 
nessed to  the  children's  little  conveyance  waited  for 
them.  Louis,  Helen,  James  and  Kuth  took  the  back 
seats,  Beatrice  and  Elizabeth  the  front  to  drive,  whilst 
Henry  climbed  behind.  The  mammas,  papas  and  nur- 
ses started  at  different  intervals,  so  that  some  of  them 
might  be  near  us  in  case  of  accident ;  but  this  was  only 
an  excess  of  prudence,  for  with  me  they  knew  there  was 
nothing  to  fear. 

I  set  oft'  in  a  gallop,  notwithstanding  my  load,  self- 
love  excited  me  to  overtake  and  even  pass  the  carriage. 
I  went  like  the  wind  and  the  children  were  enchanted. 

"  Bravo !  "  they  cried.  "  Courage,  Cadichon,  keep  on 
galloping !  Hurrah  for  Cadichon,  the  king  of  donkeys  1 " 

They  clapped  their  hands  and  applauded. 

"  Bravo !  "  cried  people  whom  I  passed  on  the  road. 
"  Look  at  that  donkey,  he  runs  like  a  horse !  Good  luck 
and  no  upsets !  " 

The  papas  and  mammas  trudging  along,  were  not  so 
encouraging  however,  but  wanted  me  to  relax  my  speed, 
instead  of  which,  I  only  galloped  the  faster.  I  was  not 
very  long  in  overtaking  the  carriage,  and  triumphantly 
did  1  dash  past  the  horses,  they  looked  at  me  with  surprise. 
Feeling  mortified  at  being  overtaken  by  a  donkey,  espe- 
cially as  they  had  started  first,  they  attempted  a  gallop, 
but  the  driver  tightened  his  reins,  and  obliged  them  to 
relax  their  speed,  whilst  I  hurried  on  faster  than  ever,  so 
that  when  they  reached  the  church  door,  my  little  mas- 
ters and  mistresses  had  all  descended  from  the  vehicle, 


144  THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    DONKEY. 

•whilst  I,  very  warm  and  out  of  breath,  was  standing 
quietly  hitched  near  the  hedge  for  shade. 

The  parents  on  arriving,  admired  my  swiftness,  and 
complimented  the  children  on  their  equipage. 

The  fact  is  we  made  quite  a  sensation,  my  carriage  and 
I,  I  being  well  rubbed  and  curried,  and  decorated  with 
variegated  dahlias  of  red  and  white  behind  my  ears,  the 
harness  polished  and  embellished  with  red  mountings, 
and  the  vehicle  repaired  and  varnished.  We  certainly 
presented  a  dashing  appearance. 

Through  the  open  window,  I  witnessed  the  baptismal 
ceremony,  the  infant  screamed  as  if  it  were  being  mur- 
dered, Maud  and  William,  somewhat  embarrassed  at 
their  honors,  got  confused  in  repeating  the  Creed,  and 
the  priest  was  obliged. to  prompt  them.  Poor  little  god- 
father and  godmother,  their  eyes  were  suffused  with  tears, 
and  their  faces  as  red  as  cherries!  However,  their  mis- 
take was  no  unusual  occurrence,  and  often  happens  with 
grown  people. 

Little  Marie  Maud  being  baptized,  they  went  out  of 
the  church  to  throw  sugar  plums  and  pennies  to  the 
children  collected  around  the  door.  As  soon  as  the  god- 
father and  godmother  appeared,  all  exclaimed ;  "Hurrah 
for  the  godmother  !  hurrah  for  the  godfather !  " 

The  basket  of  sugar  plums  was  ready,  it  was  handed 
Maud,  whilst  William  received  the  basket  of  pennies. 
Taking  a  handful  of  the  former,  Maud  let  them  fall  in  H 
shower  among  the  children.  This  was  the  signal  for  a 
general  battle,  a  faithful  representation  of  starving  dogs. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         145 

All  rushed  to  the  same  spot,  disputing  every  handfull, 
both  of  sugarplums  and  pennies,  as  it  was  thrown;  they 
tore  one  another's  hair,  they  struggled,  they  rolled  over 
on  the  ground,  and  half  the  coveted  articles  were  lost, 
crushed  under  foot  or  hidden  in  the  grass.  William  did 
not  laugh,  nor  Maud,  alter  the  first  handful,  for  she  saw 
that  these  battles  were  serious.  For  several  of  the  chil- 
dren were  crying,  and  others  were  badly  scratched. 

"You  were  right,  William,"  said  she,  as  soon  as  they 
took  their  seats  in  the  carriage,  "  the  next  time  I  am  god- 
mother, I  shall  give  the  children  sugar  plums,  not  throw 
them." 

"  Nor  I,  the  pennies,"  said  William,  "  I  shall  give  them 
like  you  do  the  sugar  plums." 

The  carriage  started  off,  and  I  did  not  hear  the  rest  of 
their  conversation. 

My  party  now  began  to  crowd  in  their  vehicle,  accom- 
panied by  the  papas  and  mammas. 

"  Cadichon,"  said  Maud's  mamma,  "  has  already  pro- 
duced a  sensation,  so  now  he  can  afford  to  return  more 
quietly  and  take  us  with  him." 

"  Mamma,"  said  Beatrice,  "  do  you  like  this  custom  of 
throwing  the  children  sugar  plums  and  pennies?  " 

"  No,  dear  child,  I  find  it  a  very  ignoble  custom,  the 
children  reminding  one  of  dogs  fighting  for  a  bone.  If 
ever  I  am  godmother  in  this  part  of  the  country,  I  shall 
distribute  the  sugar  plums  among  the  children,  instead  of 
throwing  them,  and  I  shall  give  to  the  poor,  the  amount 
of  money  wasted  in  pennies  ilung  at  random." 


146         THE  ADVENTITRF8  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"You  are  right,  mamma;  please  let  me  be  godmother 
to  do  as  you  say." 

"As  an  absolute  necessity  for  your  fulfilling  that  office, 
we  must  have  a  baby  to  be  baptized,"  said  the  mamma, 
smiling,  "  and  I  know  of  none." 

"  Oh,  how  provoking !  I  could  be  godmother  with 
Henry.  What  would  you  call  your  godson,  Henry." 

"  Henry,  of  course,  what  would  you  call  him  ?  " 

"  Madelon." 

"  Oh  horror !  Madelon  !  In  the  first  place  it  is  not  a 
name." 

"  It  is  as  much  of  a  name  as  Pierrette." 

"  Pierrette  is  prettier,  and  besides  you  see  that  Wil- 
liam yielded." 

"  I  could  give  up  too,"  replied  Beatrice,  "  but  we  have 
time  enough  to  think  of  it." 

We  reached  the  castle,  all  got  out  of  the  carriage  and 
hastened  to  lay  aside  their  holiday  attire ;  my  trinkets 
and  dahlias  were  also  taken  off  and  I  was  turned  out  to 
pasture,  whilst  the  children  ate  their  lunch. 


XIX. 

THE  LEARNED  DONKEY. 

ONK  day  I  saw  the  children  run  into  the  meadow 
where  I  was  quietly  grazing  very  near  the  castle.  Louis 
and  James  were  playing  around  me,  finding  amusement 
in  getting  on  my  back,  They  thought  themselves  as 
nimble  as  gymnasts,  whilst  they  were,  in  reality,  I  must 
confess,  somewhat  clumsy,  little  James  especially,  who 
was  plump,  chunkier  than  his  cousin.  Louis  at  last, 
by  holding  on  to  my  tail,  managed  to  climb  (he  called  it 
jumping)  up  on  my  back.  James  made  prodigious  efforts 
to  follow  his  example,  but  the  poor  little  fat  fellow  slip- 
ped, fell  and  got  out  of  breath,  and  it  was  very  evident 
that  he  could  not  succeed  without  the  assistance  of  his 
cousin  somewhat  older  than  himself.  To  spare  them  so 
much  fatigue,  I  went  towards  a  piece  of  rising  ground. 
Louis  had  already  shown  his  agility,  and  James  had  just 
succeeded  with  a  great  effort  in  seating  himself,  when  we 
heard  the  whole  joyous  band  crying  out :  "  James, 
Louis,  we  are  going  to  the  fair  day  after  to-morrow,  to 
gee  the  learned  donkey ! " 

"  The  learned  donkey  ?  what  is  that  ?  "  inquired  James. 

"  A  donkey  "  replied  Elizabeth,  "that  plays  all  man- 
ner of  tricks." 

(147) 


148          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  What  tricks  ?  " 

"Well  tricks — tricks  of— tricks  I  mean,"  said  Beat- 
nee. 

"  He  can't  beat  Cadichon,  I  know." 

"  Pshaw !  Cadichon !  "  said  Henry,  "  Cadichon  is  a 
very  fine  animal  and  very  intelligent  of  his  kind,  but  he 
is  nothing  in  comparison  with  the  learned  donkey  at 
the  fair !  " 

"  I  am  very  sure,"  answered  Maud,  "  that  if  Cadichon 
were  shown  these  tricks  he  could  do  them." 

"  Let  us  see  what  this  learned  donkey  does,  and  then 
we  can  judge  better  as  to  whether  he  is  more  learned 
than  our  Cadichon,"  said  William. 

"  William  is  right,"  replied  Maud,  "  let  us  wait  till 
after  the  fair." 

"  And  what  will  we  do  after  the  fair  ? "  said  Eliza- 
beth. 

"  We  will  dispute,"  replied  Beatrice  laughing.  James 
and  Louis  after  whispering  a  few  words  to  each  other, 
had  kept  silence  until  the  rest  went  away.  When  assured 
that  these  were  out  of  sight  and  hearing,  they  com- 
menced to  dance  around  me,  laughing  and  singing : 

"  Cadichon,  Cadichon, 
To  the  fair  you  will  go, 
And  the  learned  donkey  show 
That  as  smart  as  he  may  be, 
You  are  smarter  still  than  he; 
Every  one  will  honor  you, 
Every  one  will  praise  you  too, 
And  we  shall  be  proud,  so  do 
Your  best.  Cadichon,  Cadichon." 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  14:9 

"  What  we  are  singing  is  very  pretty,"  said  James, 
stopping  suddenly. 

"  That  is  because  they  are  rhymes,"  answered  Louis. 
"  I  really  think  they  are  pretty." 

"  Rhymes  ?   I  thought  it  was  very  difficult  to  make 

rhymes." 

Very  easy  as  you  see, 
Though  difficult  apparently. 

"  There  are  some  more." 

"  Let  us  run  and  say  them  to  our  cousins." 

"  No,  no,  if  they  heard  our  verses,  they  would  gue?s 
what  we  are  going  to  do ;  we  must  take  them  by  surprise 
at  the  fair." 

"  But  do  you  believe  papa  and  uncle  will  let  us  take 
Cadichon  to  the  fair  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  when  we  tell  them  in  confidence,  we  want 
him  to  see  the  learned  donkey." 

"  Let  us  run  quick  to  ask  them." 

They  were  running  at  full  speed  towards  the  house 
jnst  as  the  papas  were  coming  to  the  meadow  to  see  what 
the  children  were  doing.  "  Papa,  papa!  "cried  they, 
"  come  quick  ;  we  have  something  to  ask  you." 

"  Speak  children,  what  is  it  1 " 

"  Not  here,  papa,  not  here,"  was  the  mysterious  answer, 
each  one  drawing  his  father  aside. 

""What  is  the  matter?"  said  Louis'3  papa,  laughing. 
"  Into  what  conspiracy  do  you  wish  to  drag  me  ?  " 

"  Sh  sh,  papa,  here  is  what  it  is :  you  know  that  day 
after  to-morrow  there  will  be  a  learned  donkey  at  the  fair.1' 


150          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

**  No,  I  did  not  know  it,  but  what  have  we  to  do  with 
learned  donkeys,  we,  who  have  Cadichon  ?  " 

"  That  is  precisely  what  we  say,  papa,  that  Cadichon 
is  smarter  than  any  of  them.  JMy  sisters  and  cousins  are 
going  to  the  fair  to  see  this  educated  donkey,  and  we 
would  like  very  much  to  take  Cadichon,  so  that  he  may 
Bee  what  this  donkey  does  and  imitate  him." 

"  What?"  said  James's  papa,  "  would  you  put  Cadichon 
in  the  crowd  to  look  at  the  donkey  ?  " 

"  Yes,  papa,  instead  of  going  in  the  carriage,  we  can 
ride  Cadichon,  and  get  very  near  the  circle  in  which  the 
learned  donkey  plays  his  tricks." 

"  I  would  not  ask  anything  better  myself,  but  I  do  not 
believe  Cadichon  could  learn  much  in  one  lesson." 

"  Can't  you,  Cadichon,  do  as  many  smart  tricks  as  that 
Billy,  educated  donkey  ?  " 

In  addressing  this  question,  James  looked  at  me  so 
anxiously,  that  to  reassure  him,  I  began  braying,  laugh- 
ing all  the  while  at  his  fears. 

"  Do  you  hear  that,  papa,"  said  James  triumphantly, 
"  Cadichon  says  yes." 

The  two  papas  laughed,  caressed  their  little  boys,  and 
turned  away,  promising  not  only  that  I  should  go  to  the 
fair,  but  that  they  would  accompany  us  there. 

"  Ah !  "  said  I  to  myself,  "  they  doubt  my  capacity ! 
It  is  astonishing  how  much  more  intelligent  these  chil- 
dren are  than  their  fathers." 

The  great  day  arrived.  One  hour  before  our  depart- 
ure, my  toilet  was  made,  and  Louis  and  James  having 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         151 

curried  and  rubbed  me  to  the  verge  of  vexation ;  after 
which,  they  decorated  me  with  a  perfectly  new  bridle 
and  saddle,  and  then  announced  their  readiness  to  start, 
as  they  wished  to  set  out  a  little  in  advance,  for  fear  of 
being  late. 

"  Why  do  you  wish  to  go  so  early  ?  "  asked  Henry, 
"  and  how  are  you  going  ?  " 

"  We  are  going  on  Cadichon,  and  want  to  start  early, 
because  we  can't  go  fast,"  said  Louis. 

"  Are  you  two  going  alone  ? "  inquired  Henry. 

"  No,  papa  and  uncle  will  accompany  us." 

"  It  will  certainly  be  tiresome,  if  you  are  going  at  a 
gait  to  suit  their  walk." 

"  Oh !  we  never  find  it  tiresome  in  our  papa's  com- 
pany." 

"  I  prefer  going  in  the  carriage,  we  will  get  their  long 
before  you." 

"  No,  you  will  not,  for  we  will  start  so  much  sooner." 

As  they  finished  speaking,  I  was  led  out  all  saddled 
and  decorated — the  fathers  were  ready ;  they  put  their 
little  boys  on  my  back,  and  I  started  very  slowly,  so  as 
not  to  make  their  fathers  run. 

In  an  hour  we  reached  the  fair  ground,  where  we 
found  many  persons  already  collected  around  the  rope 
marking  out  a  circle,  within  which  the  educated  donkey 
was  to  display  his  ability.  The  fathers  of  the  two  little 
boys  I  had  brought,  stationed  us  very  near  the  rope,  and 
my  other  masters  and  mistresses  soon  rejoined  us. 

The  sound  of  a  drum  was  the  signal  for  my  learned 


152          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

friend's  appearance.  All  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  cur- 
tain, which  rose  at  last,  and  he  came  forth,  a  thin,  sad, 
miserable  looking  creature.  His  master  called  him ;  he 
approached,  but  with  an  air  of  fear,  and  I  saw  at  once, 
that  the  poor  thing's  learning  had  been  instilled  by  hard 
beatings. 

"  Gentlemen  and  ladies,"  said  the  master,  "  I  have  the 
honor  of  presenting  to  you  Mirliflore,  the  prince  of  don- 
keys. He  is  not  like  the  rest  of  his  race,  he  is  a  learned 
donkey,  more  learned  indeed  than  many  of  us,  he  is  the 
donkey  par  excellence,  and  without  an  equal/  Come, 
Mirliflore,  show  what  you  can  do,  but  first  salute  these 
gentlemen  and  ladies  like  a  well  raised  donkey." 

This  discourse  touched  my  pride,  and  made  me  very 
angry ;  I  resolved  to  be  revenged  before  the  end  of  the 
exhibition. 

Mirliflore  advancing  three  steps,  made  an  inclination 
of  his  head  with  a  melancholy  air. 

"  Go,  Mirliflore,  go  give  this  bouquet  to  the  prettiest 
lady  here." 

I  laughed  at  seeing  every  hand  half  extended  to 
receive  the  bouquet.  Mirliflore  went  all  around  the  cir- 
cle, and  stopping  before  a  fat,  ugly  woman  that  I  after- 
wards learned  was  the  master's  wife,  and  who  held  a 
little  sugar  in  her  hand,  lay  down  his  flowers. 

This  want  of  taste  enraged  me;  leaping  over  the  rope 
to  the  great  surprise  of  every  one  present,  and  making  a 
graceful  salutation,  to  those  on  my  right,  my  left,  before 
and  behind  me,  I  walked  resolutely  up  to  the  fat  woman, 


063) 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY. 


155 


snatched  the  bouquet  from  her  hands,  and  laid  it  on 
Maud's  lap.  I  then  returned  to  my  place,  amidst  the 
plaudits  of  the  multitude.  Every  one  inquired  the 
meaning  of  this  apparition ;  some  believed  it  was  all 
arranged  beforehand,  and  that  there  were  two  learned 
donkeys ;  whilst  others  who  had  seen  me  with  my  little 
masters  recognizing  me,  were  delighted  at  my  intelli- 
gence. 

Mirliflore's  master  seemed  quite  vexed,  but  the  animal 


himself  appeared  so  indifferent  to  my  triumph,  that  I 
began  to  believe  him  really  stupid,  which  is  a  quality 
very  rare  among  us  donkeys.  When  silence  was  re-estab- 
lished, the  master  called  Mirliflore  out  again. 

"Come  Mirliflore,  show  these  gentlemen  and  ladies 
that  you  not  only  know  how  to  distinguish  beauty,  but 
likewise  stupidity ;  take  this  caj>  and  put  it  on  the  most 
stupid  person  here." 


156          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

«  Saying  this,  he  gave  Mirliflore  a  magnificent  dunce 
cap,  ornamented  with  bells  and  variegated  ribbons.  Mir- 
iiflore,  taking  it  between  his  teeth,  went  towards  a  fat, 
red  faced  boy,  who  inclined  his  head  in  advance  to  receive 
it.  From  his  resemblance  to  the  fat  woman,  so  falsely 
declared  the  most  beautiful  person  present,  it  was  easy  to 
recognize  this  boy  as  her  son,  and  the  master's  assistant. 

"  Now,"  thought  I,  "  is  the  moment  to  revenge  this 
fool's  insulting  words !  " 

And  before  anyone  could  think  of  preventing  me,  I 
again  darted  into  the  arena,  ran  to  my  comrade,  snatched 
the  dunce  cap  from  him  at  the  moment  he  was  about  to 
place  it  on  the  fat  boy's  head,  and  ere  the  master  had 
time  to  defend  himself,  rushing  at  him,  at  putting  my 
fore  feet  upon  his  shoulders,  I  tried  to  place  the  cap  upon 
his  head.  He  repulsed  me  violently,  and  grew  furious, 
as  peals  of  laughter  and  applause  resounded  on  all  sides. 

"Bravo  donkey!"  they  cried,  "this  one  is  the  real 
learned  donkey." 

Emboldened  by  the  applause  of  the  multitude,  I  made 
anew  effort  to  fit  the  cap;  as  he  recoiled  I  advanced, 
and  we  finished  by  a  flying  race,  the  man  running  at  full 
speed,  I  after  him,  not  getting  near  enough  to  him  to 
ornament  him  with  the  cap,  and  not  wishing  to  do 
him  any  harm.  At  last  I  jumped  behind  him,  and 
placing  my  fore  feet  upon  his  shoulders,  let  him  feel 
my  weight ;  he  fell  and  I  profited  by  it,  to  bury  his  head 
up  to  his  very  chin  in  the  dunce's  cap.  I  retired  imme- 
diately ;  the  man  arose,  but  being  somewhat  confused  and 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 


157 


stunned  by  the  fall,  and  unable  to  see  clearly,  he  began 
to  turn  and  jump.  And  I  to  complete  the  farce  pre- 
tended to  do  the  same,  interrupting  this  burlesque  imita- 
tion, by  approaching  him  and  braying  in  his  ear,  then 
standing  on  my  hind  feet,  jumping  like  him,  sometimes 
to  one  side,  some  times  before  him. 

To  depict  the  laughter,  the  bravos,  the  joyful  stamp- 
ing of  feet,  would  be  an  impossibility.    Never  had  a 


donkey  in  the  world  such  success,  such  a  triumph !  The 
ring  was  invaded  by  hundreds  of  persons  wishing  to 
touch,  to  caress,  to  approach  me.  Those  who  knew  me 
were  proud  of  what  I  had  done,  and  told  my  name  to 
those  not  acquainted  with  me.  Numberless  anecdotes, 
botli  true  and  false,  were  related,  in  which  I  played  a 
magnificent  part.  One  time,  said  my  admirers,  I  had 


158  THE   ADTEXTUKES   OF    A.    DOXKJCT. 

extinguished  a  fire,  working  a  pump  all  alone:  I  had 
ascended  to  the  third  story,  opened  my  mistress's  door, 
seized  her  asleep  in  bed,  and  all  hope  of  escape  by  the 
stairs  being  cut  off,  I  had  jumped  from  the  third  story, 
having  first  carefully  placed  my  mistress  on  my  back — 
that  neither  she  nor  I  had  been  hurt,  because  her  guardian 
angel  had  sustained  us  in  the  air  and  we  had  gently 
descended  to  the  ground.  Another  time,  unassisted,  I 
had  killed  fifty  brigands,  strangling  them  one  by  one  with 
a  single  bite,  so  that  none  awakened  to  alarm  the  rest. 
I  had  afterwards  liberated  one  hundred  and  fifty  prison- 
ers these  robbers  had  kept  chained  in  the  caves  for  the 
sake  of  their  services,  making  the  poor  creatures  work  to 
feed  and  enrich  their  masters.  Again,  at  a  race,  I  had 
beaten  the  best  horses  in  the  country,  and  finally,  in  five 
hours,  I  had  made  twenty-five  leagues  without  stopping. 

The  admiration  for  me  increased  in  proportion  to  the 
circulation  of  these  stories.  I  was  surrounded,  almost 
smothered,  and  the  soldiers  were  obliged  to  drive  off  the 
crowd.  Happily,  the  parents  of  James,  Louis,  and  all 
my  other  masters  had  led  their  children  away,  whilst  the 
crowd  collected  around  me.  I  had  much  difiiculty  in 
escaping  from  my  admirers,  who  wished  to  carry  me  in 
triumph — even  the  assistance  of  the  soldiers  was  not  suf- 
ficient to  prevent  such  an  honor,  and  I,  in  order  to  force 
my  way  through  the  crowd,  was  obliged  to  give  a  few 
bites,  and  attempted  kicks,  taking  care,  however,  to  hurt 
no  one. 

Once  rid  of  the  crowd,  I  sought  Louis  and  James,  but 


O50) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         161 

in  vain.  Not  wishing  my  dear  little  masters  to  return 
home  on  foot,  I  ran  to  the  stable  where  our  horses  were 
always  kept  to  see  if  they  were  still  there,  and,  not  find- 
ing them,  I  knew  Louis  and  James  had  gone.  Then, 
taking  the  road  to  the  castle,  and  running  at  full  speed, 
I  soon  caught  up  with  the  two  carriages  packed  with 
parents  and  children  to  the  number  of  fifteen. 

"  Cadichon !  there  is  Cadichon ! "  exclaimed  all  the 
children  when  they  saw  rne. 

The  carriages  were  stopped  ;  James  and  Louis  asked 
permission  to  get  out,  as  they  wished  to  compliment  and 
caress  me,  and  return  home  on  foot.  Their  example  was 
followed  by  Ruth  and  Helen,  then  by  William  and  Henry, 
and  at  last  by  Elizabeth,  Beatrice  and  Maud. 

"  So  you  see,"  said  Louis  and  James,  "  we  knew  Cadi- 
chon better  than  you  !  How  he  did  distinguish  himself! 
He  easily  understood  all  the  tricks  of  that  stupid  Mirliflore 
and  his  foolish  master." 

"  So  he  did,"  answered  "William, "  but  1  would  like  very 
much  to  know  why  he  insisted  upon  putting  that  dunce- 
cap  on  the  master.  Was  it  because  he  thought  the  master 
a  fool,  and  knew  that  the  donkey's  ears  (the  dunce-cap 
was  fashioned  in  that  style)  were  a  mark  of  imbecility  ?" 

"Certainly,  he  understood  it,"  spoke  Maud;  "he  is 
smart  enough  for  that." 

"  Ah  !  ah !  ah  !  You  say  that  because  he  gave  yon 
the  bouquet  as  the  prettiest  person  present." 

"  Not  at  all ;  I  did  not  think  myself  the  prettiest,  and, 
since  you  speak  of  it,  let  me  tell  you  that  I  was  astonished, 

14* 


162         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

and  wished  very  much  he  had  given  the  bouquet  to 
mamma,  for  she  was  the  prettiest  person  there." 

"  You  represented  her,"  said  William,  "  and  I  believe 
that,  leaving  aunt  aside,  Cadichon's  choice  could  not  have 
been  better." 

"  And  I  then,  am  I  so  ugly  ?  "  asked  Beatrice. 

•*  Certainly  not,  but  each  one  to  his  taste,  and  Cadi- 
chon's  taste  selected  Maud,"  replied  William. 

"  Instead  of  discussing  beauties  and  frights,"  said 
Elizabeth,  "  we  ought  to  inquire  of  Cadichon  how  he 
could  understand  so  well  what  this  man  said." 

"  What  a  pity  Cadichon  cannot  speak  !  how  much  he 
could  tell ! "  replied  Helen. 

"  Who  knows  but  what  he  does  understand  ? "  said 
Elizabeth.  "  I  myself  have  read  the  '  Recollections  of  a 
Doll,'  and  does  a  doll  appear  to  see  and  understand? 
That  doll  wrote  about  all  she  heard  and  saw." 

"  And  do  you  really  believe  that  ? "  asked  Henry. 

"  Certainly  I  believe  it,"  replied  Elizabeth. 

"  How  could  the  doll  write  ?  " 

"  She  wrote  at  night,  with  a  tiny  pen  made  of  a  hum- 
ming bird's  feather,  and  hid  her '  Recollections '  under  her 
head." 

"  Don't  believe  such  nonsense,  my  poor  Elizabeth," 
said  Beatrice.  "  It  was  a  lady  who  wrote  those  l  Recol- 
lections of  a  Doll,'  and  to  make  the  book  more  amusing, 
she  pretended  to  be  the  doll  and  to  write  as  if  she  were 
one." 

"  Do  you  think,  then,  it  was  not  a  real  doll  that  wrote 
them  ? "  asked  Elizabeth. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         163 

"  Certainly  it  was  not,"  replied  Maud.  "  How  do  you 
suppose  a  lifeless  doll,  made  of  wood  or  stuffed  with  bran 
could  reflect,  see,  hear  and  write  ? " 

Talking  thus,  they  reached  the  castle.  Running 
immediately  to  their  grandmother,  who  had  remained  at 
home,  they  recounted  all  my  doings  and  how  I  had 
astonished  and  delighted  every  one. 

"  Pie  is  truly  wonderful,  this  Cadichon,"  said  she, 
coming  to  caress  me.  "I  have  known  intelligent 
donkeys,  far  more  sagacious  than  other  animals,  but 
never  did  I  see  one  like  Cadichon !  I  must  confess,  we 
are  very  unjust  to  donkeys." 

I  turned  towards  her  with  a  look  of  gratitude. 

"  One  would  really  suppose  he  understood  me,"  she 
continued.  "  My  poor  Cadichon,  rest  assured  you  shall 
never  be  sold  whilst  I  live,  and  you  shall  be  as  well 
taken  care  of  as  if  you  understood  everything  that  was 
going  on  around  you." 

I  sighed  at  thought  of  my  old  mistress's  age,  for  she 
was  fifty-nine,  and  I  not  more  than  nine  or  ten. 

"  My  dear  little  masters,"  thought  I,  "  when  your 
grandmother  dies  do  not  sell  me,  I  entreat  you,  but  keep 
me  and  let  me  die  in  your  service." 

As  to  the  learned  donkey's  unfortunate  master,  I  after- 
wards repented  bitterly  of  the  trick  I  had  played  upon 
him,  and  you  will  see  the  sad  consequences  of  my  desire 
to  display  my  intelligence. 


XX. 

THE    FROG. 

THE  wicked  boy  who  killed  my  friend,  Medor,  had  at 
last  (by  dint  of  coaxing  probably,)  obtained  pardon  and 
permission  to  visit  again  at  your  grandmother's.  I  could 
not  bear  him,  you  may  well  imagine,  and  I  sought  every 
opportunity  of  playing  some  ugly  trick  upon  him,  for  I 
lacked  charity  and  had  not  yet  learned  to  forgive. 

This  Alfred  was  a  coward,  but  always  boasting  of  his 
courage.  One  day,  when  his  father  had  brought  him  to 
your  grandmother's  on  a  visit,  the  other  children  pro- 
posed a  stroll  in  the  woods.  Maud,  who  ran  ahead  sud- 
denly jumped  aside  screaming. 

"  "What  is  the  matter  ?  "  said  William,  running  to  her 
assistance. 

"  I  was  frightened  at  a  frog  that  jumped  on  my  foot." 

"  Is  it  possible  that  you  are  afraid  of  frogs,  Maud  ? 
For  my  part,"  said  Alfred,  "  I  am  afraid  of  nothing,  of 
no  animal." 

"Why  then,"  retorted  Maud,  "did  you  jump  so  high 
the  other  day,  when  I  told  you  there  was  a  spider  on  your 
arm?" 

4<  Because  I  did  not  understand  what  you  said  to  me." 

(164) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         165 

"  Did  not  understand  ?   It  was  very  easily  understood." 
"  Certainly  it  was,  if  I  had  heard  aright,  but  I  thought 
you  said,  '  look  at  that  spider  down  there,'  and  I  jumped 
aside  only  to  see  it  better," 

"  The  idea  !  "  chimed  in  William,  "  that  is  not  so,  for 
as  you  jumped,  you  cried,  *  Oh,  William,  take  it  off, 
please ! ' " 

"  I  meant  to  say,  '  take  it  off,  so  I  can  see  it  better.' " 
"  He  is  telling  a  story,"  whispered  Beatrice  to  Maud." 
"  So  I  perceive,"  was  Maud's  low  response. 
I  was  listening  to  the  conversation  and  profited  by  it, 
as  you  will  see.     The  children  were  seated   upon  the 
grass,  and  I  was  near,  having  followed  them.     Perceiv- 
ing a  little  green  frog  very  near  Alfred's  open  pocket, 
my    plan    was    quickly    formed    and    easily  executed. 
Approaching  noiselessly,  I  seized  the  frog  by  one  leg, 
and  slyly  dropped   it  into  the   little   boaster's  pocket, 
quietly  withdrawing  as  soon  as  the  deed  was  done,  so 
that  Alfred  might  not  suspect  me  of  having  made  him 
this  beautiful  present. 

I  could  not  hear  distinctly  all  the  conversation,  but  I 
distinguished  this  much,  that  Alfred  continued  to  boast 
of  his  courage,  he  was  afraid  of  no  creature,  not  even  of 
lions,  at  which  the  rest  uttered  an  exclamation  of  incre- 
dulity. Just  at  this  moment  Alfred  wished  to  blow  his 
nose.  Running  his  hand  into  his  pocket,  he  withdrew  it 
with  a  cry  of  terror,  and  rising  precipitately,  screamed 
aloud : 

44  Take  it  out !  take  it  out !  Oh  !  I  beg  you  to  take  it 
out !  I  am  so  afraid  1  Help !  help  1 " 


166         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Alfred  ? "  eaid  Maud,  half  laugh- 
ing, half  frightened. 

"An  animal !  an  animal!     Take  it  out,  I  beg  you !  " 

"  What  animal  do  you  mean,  and  where  is  it  \ "  said 
William. 

"In  my  pocket!  I  felt  it,  I  touched  it!  Oh!  take  it 
out,  take  it  away !  I  am  afraid  of  it,  I  dare  not  touch  it !  " 

"  Do  it  yourself,  you  coward  ! "  replied  Henry,  indig- 
nantly. 

"  Well,  just  listen,"  said  Elizabeth,  "  he  is  afraid  of 
something  in  his  pocket,  and  wants  us  to  take  it  out, 
because  he  dares  not  touch  it !  " 

After  their  first  fright,  the  children  were  greatly 
amused  at  Alfred's  contortions,  who  knew  not  how  to 
rid  himself  of  the  creature  he  felt  wriggling  about  in 
his  pocket.  His  terror  increased  with  every  movement 
of  the  frog.  At  last,  frightened  almost  to  distraction, 
and  finding  no  other  means  of  escape  from  this  creature 
that  he  felt  moving  and  yet  dared  not  touch,  he  pulled 
off  his  jacket  and  threw  it  on  the  ground,  remaining  in 
his  shirt  sleeves.  The  others  burst  out  laughing  and  made 
a  rush  for  the  jacket.  Henry  opened  the  hind  pocket; 
the  imprisoned  frog  seeing  daylight,  darted  through  the 
opening,  narrow  as  it  was,  and  each  one  saw  a  pretty 
little  scared  frog,  that  sought  safety  in  desperate  efforts 
to  put  itself  out  of  reach. 

"  The  enemy  has  taken  flight,"  said  Maud,  laughing. 

"  Take  care  it  doesn't  chase  you,"  said  William. 

"  Don't  go  too  near,  it  might  devour  you !  "  said 
Henry. 


THE  ADVENTUBES  OF  A  DONKEY.          167 

"  Nothing  is  so  dangerous  as  a  frog ! "  added  Beat- 
rice. 

"  If  it  were  only  a  lion,  Alfred  would  attack  it ! " 
chimed  in  Elizabeth,  "but  a  frog!  All  his  courage 
could  not  defend  him  from  its  claws !  " 

"  You  forget  its  teeth  !  "  continued  Louis. 

"  You  may  pick  up  your  jacket,'  aid  James,  catching 
the  frog.  "  I  hold  your  enemy  prisoner." 

Alfred  remained  motionless  and  mute  with  shame  at 
having  thus  exposed  himself  to  so  much  ridicule. 

"Let  us  dress  him,"  cried  William,  "he  has  not 
strength  enough  to  put  on  his  jacket !  " 

"  Take  care,"  said  Henry  "  that  a  fly  or  a  gnat  is  not 
on  it,  for  that  would  be  a  new  danger  to  fear !  " 

Alfred  tried  to  escape,  but  all  the  children,  big  and 
little  ran  after  him ;  William  holding  the  jacket,  the 
others  pursuing  the  coward  and  endeavoring  to  intercept 
his  retreat.  It  was  a  very  amusing  race  for  all  but  poor 
Alfred,  who,  red  with  shame  and  anger,  ran  first  to  the 
right  and  then  to  the  left,  and  everywhere  encountered 
an  enemy.  I  joined  the  party,  and  galloped  before  and 
behind  him,  increasing  his  fear  by  braying  and  attempt- 
ing to  seize  him  by  the  seat  of  his  trousers ;  once  I  caught 
him,  but  he  jerked  away  leaving  a  piece  of  the  trousers 
in  my  mouth  which  increased  the  other  children's  laughter. 
I  succeeded  at  last  in  catching  him  with  a  firm  hold,  lie 
uttered  such  a  cry,  that,  for  an  instant,  I  feared  having 
seized  skin  as  well  as  cloth.  William  and  Henry  were 
the  first  to  reach  him ;  he  tried  to  struggle  against  them, 


168          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

but  I  pulled  him  gently,  at  which  he  screamed  again, 
and  then  became  as  meek  as  a  lamb,  never  budging  any 
more  than  a  statue  whilst  William  and  Henry  put  his 
jacket  on  him.  Seeing  that  my  services  were  no  longer 
needed,  I  released  him,  and  went  my  way  delighted  at 
having  succeeded  in  rendering  him  so  ridiculous.  He 
never  knew  how  that  frog  got  into  his  pocket,  and  from 
that  lucky  day  he  dared  boast  no  more  of  his  courage — 
before  the  children. 


XXI. 

THE    PONY. 

MY  vengeance  ought  to  have  been  appeased,  but  it  was 
not ;  I  still  retained  for  Alfred  such  sentiments  of  hatred 
as  instigated  me  to  play  another  trick  upon  him,  of  which 
I  afterwards  bitterly  repented.  We  were  rid  of  him  for 
nearly  a  month  after  the  episode  of  the  frog.  One  day, 
however,  his  father  brought  him  over,  not  much  to  any- 
one's delight. 

"  What  shall  we  do  to  amuse  this  boy  ?  "  said  William 
to  Maud. 

"  Propose  a  riding  party  to  the  woods ;  Henry  will 
mount  Cadichon ;  Alfred,  the  farm  mule ;  and  you,  your 
pony." 

"  Oh!  that's  a  splendid  idea,  provided  he  wishes  to  go!  " 

"  Oh !    but  he  must   wish  it ;    do  you  just  have  the 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          1G9 

animals  saddled,  and  when  they  are  ready  help  him 
mount." 

"William  went  to  find  Alfred,  who  was  amusing  himself 
tormenting  Louis  and  James.  Under  the  pretence  of 
assisting  them  in  their  garden,  he  replanted  their  flowers, 
pulled  their  vegetables,  cut  their  strawberry  vines,  and 
scattered  confusion  everywhere  ;  when,  they  attempted  to 
prevent  him,  he  repulsed  them  with  a  kick  or  a  thrust  of 
the  spade,  and  William  found  them  weeping  over  the 
ruins  of  their  flowers  and  vegetables. 

"  Why  do  you  torment  my  poor  little  cousins  ? "  said 
William,  with  evident  displeasure. 

"  I  am  not  tormenting  them  ;  on  the  contrary,  I  am 
assisting  them." 

"  But  they  don't  wish  your  assistance." 

"They  must  be  made  to  do  right,  even  in  spite  of 
themselves." 

"  It  is  because  he  is  twice  as  big  as  we  are  that  he  tor- 
ments us,"  said  Louis;  "he  would  not  dare  do  so  with  you 
and  Henry." 

"  Not  dare  ! "  replied  Alfred  ;  "  don't  say  that  again, 
young  one." 

"No,  you  would  not  dare!  William  and  Henry  are 
much  stronger  than  a  frog,  I  know,"  said  James. 

At  this,  Alfred  reddened,  shrugged  his  shoulders  with 
an  air  of  disdain,  and,  turning  to  William,  said : 

"  Did  you  want  me,  dear  friend?  You  seemed  to  be 
looking  for  me  when  you  came  here." 

"  Yes ;  I  was  going  to  propose  a  riding  party,"  said 

15 


170         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"William,  with  an  air  of  indifference ;  "  be  ready  in  a 
quarter  of  an  hour,  if  you  wish  to  go  with  Henry  and 
me  to  the  woods." 

"Certainly;  I  would  like  nothing  better,"  replied 
Alfred  eagerly,  delighted  at  the  idea  of  putting  an  end 
to  the  taunts  of  James  and  Louis. 

William  and  Alfred  then  went  to  the  stable,  and  told 
the  hostler  to  saddle  the  pony,  the  farm  mule  and  myself. 

"  Ah  I  you  have  a  pony !  "  said  Alfred  ;  "  1  like  them 
BO  much." 

"  It  was  a  present  from  grandma." 

"  Do  you  know  how  to  ride  horseback  ? " 

"  Yes ;  I  learned  two  years  ago  at  riding  school." 

"  I  would  love  to  riJe  your  pony." 

"  I  would  not  advise  you  to  do  it,  if  you  have  never 
learned  to  ride  horseback." 

"  I  never  learned,  but  I  can  do  it  just  as  well  as  any- 
one else." 

"  Did  you  ever  try  ? " 

"  Many  a  time.  Who  is  there  that  can't  ride  horse- 
back?" 

"  When  did  you  ?  your  father  has  no  saddle  horses." 

"I  never  rode  horseback,  but  I  have  ridden  mules, 
which  is  the  same  thing." 

"  I  tell  you  again,  my  dear  Alfred,"  said  William, 
restraining  a  smile,  "if  you  have  never  ridden  horseback, 
1  would  advise  you  not  to  ride  my  pony." 

"And  why  not  ? "  replied  Alfred  a  little  piqued,  "  you 
might  give  him  up  for  once." 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  171 

"  Oil !  I  don't  refuse  you  on  that  account,  it  is  because 
the  pony  is  a  little  spirited,  and — " 

"And  what  ?  "  said  Alfred,  in  the  same  tone  of  vexa- 
tion. 

"  Well  then  he  might  throw  you  off." 

"  Be  easy  about  that,  do,"  answered  Alfred,  quite  irri- 
tated, "  I  am  not  quite  so  awkward  as  you  think.  If  you  are 
willing  to  give  him  up  to  me  for  once,  be  sure  1  can  ride 
him  just  as  good  as  yourself." 

"  Just  as  you  please,  my  dear ;  take  the  pony,  I  will 
ride  the  mule,  and  Henry,  Cadichon." 

Henry  now  joined  them.  In  a  few  moments  we  were 
to  start.  Alfred  approached  the  pony,  which  capered  a 
little  and  made  two  or  three  jumps.  Alfred  looked  at 
him  anxiously. 

"  Hold  him  firmly,"  said  he,  "  until  I  am  on." 

"  There  is  no  danger,  master,  the  animal  is  not  vicious, 
and  you  need  not  be  afraid,"  said  the  hostler. 

"  I  am  not  at  all  afraid,"  replied  Alfred  quickly,  "  do  I 
look  as  if  I  were  afraid,  I,  who  am  afraid  of  nothing  ? " 

"  Except  frogs,"  whispered  Henry  to  William. 

"  What  did  you  say,  Henry  ?  What  did  you  whisper  to 
William?  "said  Alfred. 

"  Oh  !  nothing  very  interesting  !  "  replied  Henry,  mis- 
chievously, "  I  told  him  I  believed  I  saw  a  frog  down  on 
grass." 

Alfred  bit  his  lip,  colored  deeply,  but  said  nothing. 
He  got  on  the  pony  and  began  to  pull  the  bridle,  the 
pony  recoiled,  Alfred  clung  to  the  saddle. 


172         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  Do  not  pull,  master,  do  not  pull,  a  horse  must  not  be 
managed  like  a  mule,"  said  the  hostler,  laughing. 

Alfred  slackened  thereins,  I  started  ahead  with  Henry, 
William  following  on  the  mule.  I  maliciously  broke 
into  a  gallop,  and  the  pony  tried  to  overtake  me,  but  I 
went  my  fastest.  William  and  Henry  laughed,  Alfred 
cried  out  and  clung  to  the  pony's  mane.  We  all  ran, 
and  I  determined  not  to  stop  until  Alfred  was  thrown  off 
Excited  by  the  laughter  and  cries,  the  pony  was  not  long 
in  overtaking  me,  but  I  followed  close  behind  him,  nib- 
bling his  tail  whenever  he  showed  the  slightest  inclina- 
tion to  slacken  his  speed.  We  galloped  thus  for  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour,  Alfred  clinging  to  the  pony's  neck  and 
ready  to  fall  at  every  step.  Determined  to  hasten  this 
event,  I  gave  a  stronger  nibble  to  the  pony's  tail,  he 
began  to  kick  so  vigorously  that  at  the  first  essay,  Alfred 
fell  upon  the  horse's  neck,  at  the  second,  he  passed  over 
its  head  and  was  stretched  motionless  on  the  ground. 
William  and  Henry,  thinking  him  hurt,  dismounted 
instantly,  and  ran  to  pick  him  up. 

"Alfred,  Alfred,  are  you  hurt?"  they  anxiously 
inquired. 

"  I  think  not,  I  do  not  know,"  answered  Alfred,  as  he 
arose,  still  quaking  from  fright. 

When  on  his  feet,  his  limbs  trembled,  his  teeth  chat- 
tered. William  and  Henry  examined  him,  and  finding 
neither  bruise  nor  scratch  of  any  sort,  looked  at  him  with 
mingled  pity  and  disgust. 

"  It  is  sad  to  be  such  a  coward  as  that,"  said  William. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         173 

"  I — am  —not — a — coward — but — I — am — afraid."  an- 
swered All'red,  his  teeth  still  chattering. 

"I  hope  you  do  not  intend  to  mount  my  pony  again," 
said  William,  "  we  will  exchange  animals.  " 

And  without  awaiting  Alfred's  answer,  he  jumped 
lightly  on  the  pony. 

"  I  would  rather  ride  Cadichon,"  said  Alfred,  piteously. 

"  Just  as  you  please,"  answered  Henry,  "  take  Cadi- 
chon and  I  will  mount  Grison,  the  mule." 

My  first  impulse  was  to  prevent  his  getting  on  my 
back,  but  I  formed  another  project  which  finished  his 
day's  amusement,  and  served  better  to  express  my  aver- 
sion and  wickedness.  So  I  let  him  mount  quietly  and  I 
followed  far  behind  the  pony.  If  Alfred  had  dared  beat 
me  to  increase  my  speed,  I  would  have  thrown  him,  but 
knowing  my  young  master's  fondness  for  me,  he  never 
interfered  with  my  gait,  which  was  regulated  entirely  by 
my  own  pleasure.  I  took  especial  pains  in  going  through 
the  woods,  to  brush  him  up  against  all  the  bushes,  par- 
ticularly such  as  holly  and  others  of  that  thorny  nature,  so 
that  his  face  was  well  scratched.  He  complained  of  this 
to  Henry,  who  answered  coldly : 

"  Cadichon  does  not  treat  people  badly  that  he  likes; 
probably  you  are  not  in  his  good  graces." 

We  soon  took  the  road  homeward,  for  Henry  and 
William  got  tired  of  listening  to  Alfred's  whimpering  as 
each  new  branch  switched  across  his  face.  He  was 
scratched  ridiculously;  I  had  every  reason  to  believe, 
however,  that  he  was  less  amused  than  his  companions. 


174:  THE   ACVENTUEE8   OF   A   DONKEY. 

My  frightful  project  was  going  to  finish  the  day's  enter- 
tainment. 

In  returning  through  the  farm,  we  had  to  pass  a  hole 
or  rather  a  ditch,  into  which  emptied  the  pipe  carrying 
off  all  the  stale,  greasy  kitchen  water.  It  was  a  recepta- 
cle for  refuse  of  every  sort,  which  rotting  in  the  stag- 
nant water,  formed  a  black  and  stinking  mud.  I  let 
William  and  Henry  go  ahead;  reaching  the  ditch,  I 
made  a  bound  towards  the  edge  and  with  one  kick, 
landed  Alfred  just  where  I  had  desired.  I  then  stood 
quietly  enjoying  the  spectacle  of  his  struggles  in  this 
black,  filthy  pool  that  almost  blinded  and  strangled  him. 

He  attempted  to  scream  for  help,  but  the  water  got 
into  his  mouth,  it  even  reached  his  ears,  and  try  as  lie 
would,  he  found  it  impossible  to  extricate  himself. 
"  Medor,"  thought  I,  "  Medor,  you  are  revenged !  "  I  did 
not  reflect  on  the  harm  I  might  do  this  poor  boy,  who 
had  killed  Medor  by  accident  and  not  from  malice,  nor 
did  I  suspect  for  an  instant  that  I  was  far  worse  than 
he.  At  last,  William  and  Henry  who  had  dismounted, 
seeing  nothing  of  me  nor  Alfred,  wondered  at  our  delay 
and  retraced  their  steps,  to  find  me  standing  on  the  edge 
of  the  ditch,  complacently  regarding  my  struggling 
enemy.  They  approached,  and  uttered  a  cry  of  horror 
at  sight  of  Alfred,  for  he  was  in  imminent  risk  of  being 
strangled  by  the  mud.  The  farm  men  were  called  to 
the  spot  immediately.  They  held  out  a  pole  to  the  un- 
fortunate boy,  who,  clinging  to  the  end,  was  thus  rescued 
from  his  peril.  When  landed,  every  one  wished  him  to 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         175 

keep  at  a  distance,  for  the  mud  was  dripping  from  him 
and  smelt  intolerably. 

"  We  must  go  tell  his  father,"  said  William. 

"  And  then  papa  and  my  uncles,"  added  Henry,  "  so 
they  may  tell  us  some  way  of  cleansing  him." 

"  Come,  Alfred,  follow  UP,  but  please  don't  come  too 
near,  for  that  mud  does  smell  horribly." 

Alfred,  covered  with  confusion,  black  with  mud, 
scarcely  able  to  see  his  way,  followed  them  at  a  distance, 
and  was  the  object  of  much  surprise  and  many  ejacula- 
tions from  all  he  met.  I  formed  the  vanguard,  capering, 
running  and  braying  with  all  my  strength.  William  and 
Henry  seemed  much  displeased  at  my  gayety,  and  tried 
cheir  best  to  silence  me,  but  their  screams  were  of  no 
avail,  and  in  fact,  only  added  to  the  racket.  This  un- 
usual noise  attracked  the  attention  of  all  the  house; 
every  one  recognizing  my  voice,  and  knowing  that  I 
brayed  thus  only  on  grand  occasions,  ran  to  the  windows 
so  that  when  we  came  in  sight  of  the  castle,  numberless 
countenances  full  of  curiosity  peered  at  us  through  the 
casements.  Our  appearance  was  the  signal  for  a  general 
exclamation,  followed  by  a  simultaneous  rush  for  the 
door,  and  in  a  few  moments  everybody,  big  and  little, 
young  and  old,  had  decended  and  formed  a  circle  around 
us,  with  Alfred  for  the  centre,  every  one  inquiring  what 
was  the  matter  and  trying  to  keep  out  of  his  way.  Your 
grandmother  was  the  first  to  say : 

"  Some  one  must  wash  this  poor  boy,  and  see  if  he  is 
hurt." 


176          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  But  how  to  wash  him  is  the  question,"  said  William's 
papa.  "  He  must  take  a  bath." 

"  I  will  undertake  the  washing,"  said  Alfred's  father. 
"  Follow  me,  Alfred  ;  I  see  by  your  walk  that  you  are 
not  hurt.  Let  us  go  to  the  pond,  where  you  can  plunge 
right  in ;  then,  when  rid  of  some  of  that  mud,  you  may 
use  the  soap  and  finish  your  bath.  The  water  is  not  cold 
at  this  season.  William  will  lend  you  linen  and  other 
clothing." 

Saying  this,  he  went  towards  the  brook,  followed  by 
Alfred,  who  was  afraid  to  do  otherwise,  as  he  stood  con- 
siderably in  awe  of  his  father.  I  ran  to  assist  at  the 
operation,  which  was  long  and  hard,  for  the  nasty,  greasy 
mud  stuck  to  his  skin  and  hair.  The  servants  hastened 
to  bring  him  towels,  soap,  clothing  and  shoes.  The  papas 
helped  scrub  him,  and  at  the  end  of  half  an  hour  he 
emerged  from  his  bath  nearly  clean,  but  shivering,  and 
so  abashed  that  he  did  not  wish  to  be  seen,  and  begged 
his  father  to  take  him  home  immediately. 

Meanwhile,  every  one  inquired  how  this  accident  had 
happened.  William  and  Henry  mentioned  the  two  falls. 

"  I  believe,"  said  William,  "  that  Cadichon  was  the 
cause  of  both.  He  bit  my  pony's  tail,  which  he  never 
does  when  one  of  us  is  on  the  pony  ;  this  forced  the  pony 
into  a  gallop;  he  kicked,  and  sent  Alfred  over  his  head. 
I  did  not  see  the  second  fall,  but,  judging  from  Cadichon's 
triumphant  air,  his  joyful  braying,  and  his  present  com- 
placent demeanor,  it  is  very  easy  to  discover  that  the 
deed  was  intentional — he  detests  Alfred." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         177 

"  How  do  you  know  he  detests  him  ?  "  asked  Beatrice. 

"  He  shows  it  in  a  thousand  ways,"  said  William. 
'*  You  remember  the  day  Alfred  had  a  frog  in  his  pocket, 
how  Cadichon  chased  him,  caught  him  by  the  seat  of  his 
trousers,  and  held  him  whilst  we  put  on  his  jacket  ?  I 
observed  Cadichon's  expression,  and  perceived  that  he 
cast  upon  Alfred  such  malicious  glances  as  he  bestows 
only  on  those  he  hates.  lie  never  looks  at  us  in  that 
way.  His  eyes  sparkled  like  coals  ;  indeed,  his  look  was 
really  ugly." 

"  Cadichon,"  added  he,  turning  towards  me,  "  isn't  it 
so  ?  Haven't  I  guessed  exactly  right ;  you  detest  Alfred, 
and  treated  him  badly  on  purpose?" 

My  answer  was  to  bray  and  then  lick  his  hand. 

"  Do  you  know,"  said  Maud,  "  that  Cadichon  is  really 
an  extraordinary  creature  ?  I  am  sure  he  hears  and 
understands  us." 

I  gave  her  a  grateful  glance,  and,  going  up  to  her  side, 
laid  my  head  on  her  shoulder. 

"  What  a  pity,  my  Cadichon,"  said  Maud,  "  that  you 
get  worse  and  worse,  and  oblige  us  to  love  you  less  and 
less !  And  what  a  pity  it  is,  also,  that  you  cannot  write! 
You  have  seen  so  miuh  that  would  be  interesting  tc 
relate,"  she  added,  passing  her  hand  over  my  head  and 
neck.  "If  you  could  only  write  the  story  of  your  adven- 
tures, I  am  sure  they  would  be  very  amusing  ! " 

"  My  poor  Maud,"  said  Henry,  "  what  nonsense  you 
are  saying,  wishing  that  Cadichon  who  is  a  donkey,  could 
write  an  account  of  his  life." 


178          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  A  donkey  like  Cadichon  is  only  one  in  part." 

"  Bah !  they  are  all  alike  and  do  what  you  will,  they 
are  never  anything  but  donkeys." 

"  All  donkeys  are  not  alike." 

"  But  this  does  not  prevent  people  when  they  wish  to 
describe  a  man  as  stupid,  ignorant,  and  headstrong,  from 
saying :  'As  stupid  as  a  donkey,  as  ignorant  as  a  donkey, 
as  headstrong  as  a  donkey'  and  if  you  were  to  say  to  me, 
'  Henry  you  are  a  donkey,'  I  would  get  angry  and  cer- 
tainly take  it  as  an  insult." 

"  You  are  right,  and  yet  I  feel  and  see,  first  that  Cadi- 
chon understands  a  great  deal,  that  he  loves  us,  and  that 
he  has  wonderful  intelligence — moreover,  that  donkeys 
are  donkeys  when  treated  like  donkeys,  that  is,  with 
harshness  and  even  cruelty,  by  masters  whom  they  cannot 
love  or  serve  faithfully." 

"According  to  your  doctrine,  then,  it  is  really  Cadi- 
chon's  intelligence  that  instigated  him  to  betray  the 
robbers,  and  that  prompts  him  to  so  many  extraordinary 
deeds." 

"  Certainly,  how  else  would  you  account  for  his  reveal- 
ing the  place  of  their  concealment,  except  that  he  wished 
to  do  so?  " 

"  I  would  say,  that  seeing  his  comrades  enter  the  cave, 
he  wished  to  rejoin  them." 

"  And  the  tricks  of  the  learned  donkey  ?  " 

"  I  would  account  for  that  day's  doings  on  the  score  of 
jealousy  and  malice  ' 

"  And  the  race  in  which  he  came  off  victor  ? " 


THE  ADVtNTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         179 

"  A  donkey's  pride." 

"  And  the  tire  when  he  savei  Pauline  3 " 

"It  was  instinct." 

"  Hush,  Henry,  you  provoke  me." 

"  I  am  very  fond  of  Cadichon,  I  assure  you ;  but  I 
consider  him  just  what  he  is  in  reality,  a  donkey ;  and 
you,  you  make  him  a  genius.  I  must  say,  that  if  he  i8 
endowed  with  all  the  mind  and  intelligence  that  you 
believe  he  possesses,  he  is  wicked  and  detestable. 

"How  so?" 

"By  turning  into  ridicule  the  poor  learned  donkey 
and  his  master,  thus  preventing  them  from  making  the 
money  necessary  for  their  subsistance — again,  in  playing 
BO  many  ugly  tricks  on  Alfred,  who  never  did  him  any 
harm,  and,  finally,  in  making  himself  so  detestable  to  the 
other  animals,  biting,  kicking  and  maltreating  them 
generally." 

"  That  is  true,  indeed,  you  are  right,  Henry.  I  would 
rather  believe  for  the  sake  of  Cadichon's  honor,  that  he 
is  ignorant  of  what  he  does  and  the  consequences  of  his 
deeds." 

And  Maud  ran  off  with  Henry,  leaving  me  alone,  and 
quite  displeased  at  what  I  had  just  heard.  I  felt  indeed 
that  Henry's  condemnation  of  my  behavior  was  just, 
but  I  *was  unwilling  to  acknowledge  it,  and  still  more 
unwilling  to  change  my  conduct,  by  shaking  off'  the  yoke 
of  pride,  ill  temper  and  revenge,  by  which  I  had  so  long 
been  governed. 


XXII. 

THE  PUNISHMENT 

I  REMAINED  alone  till  evening,  no  one  came  near  me. 
Feeling  lonesome  and  wearied,  I  went  towards  the  ser- 
vants who  were  airing  themselves  at  the  kitchen  door, 
and  engaged  in  conversation. 

"  He  is  getting  too  wicked  indeed,"  said  the  chamber- 
maid. "  What  an  ugly  trick  he  played  on  poor  Alfred ; 
he  might  have  killed  or  drowned  him." 

"And  after  that  he  seemed  so  delighted,"  said  the  valet, 
"he  ran,  he  leaped,  he  brayed,  as  if  he  had  accomplished 
something  great." 

"  He  shall  be  paid  for  it,"  said  the  coachman,  "  I  am 
going  to  give  him  a  dressing  off  for  his  supper." 

"  Take  care,"  replied  the  valet,  "  if  madam  sees  it — " 

"And  how  would  madam  see  it  ?  Do  you  suppose  I 
am  going  to  whip  him  under  madam's  eyes?  I  shall 
wait  until  he  is  in  the  stable." 

"  Then  you  will  be  apt  to  wait  a  long  time,  for  this 
animal  that  does  only  what  he  pleases,  goes  to  the4  stable 
very  late." 

"  Well,  if  I  get  tired  waiting  for  him,  I  know  a  way  to 
take  him  there  in  spite  of  himself  and  without  disturb- 
ing any  one." 

(180) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         181 

"  How  can  you  do  that  ? "  asked  the  chambermaid,  "  for 
the  wicked  thing  brays  in  such  a  way  as  to  alarm  the 
house." 

"  Leave  him  to  me !  I'll  stifle  his  breath,  so  that  you 
will  hardly  hear  him  breathe,"  was  the  reply,  followed 
by  a  burst  of  laughter  from  the  whole  party. 

I  was  enraged  at  their  spite,  and  began  to  consider 
some  means  of  avoiding  the  threatened  punishment.  I 


would  have  jumped  at  them  then,  and  bitten  every  one 
but  I  dared  not,  for  fear  they  would  go  in  a  body  and 
complain  to  my  mistress,  and  I  had  a  vague  presentiment 
that  vexed  and  annoyed  at  my  numberless  tricks,  she 
might  drive  me  off. 

Whilst  I  was  deliberating,  I  heard  the  chambermaid 
tell   the   coachman   to   look   at  my   wicked  eyes.     He 


182          THE  ADVENTUBE8  OF  A  DONKEY. 

shrugged  his  shoulders,  arose,  went  into  the  kitchen,  and 
coming  out  again,  directed  his  steps  towards  the  stable. 
In  passing  me  he  threw  a  slip  knot  over  my  head ;  I 
drew  back  to  break  it,  and  he  pulled  in  the  opposite 
direction  to  make  me  advance ;  we  both  pulled  our  best, 
in  consequence  of  which  the  tighter  the  cord  strangled 
me ;  at  the  very  first  I  tried  to  bray,  but  in  vain,  I  could 


scarcely  breathe,  and  was  forced  at  last  to  yield.  lie  led 
me  to  the  stable,  the  door  of  which  was  obligingly  opened 
by  the  other  domestics.  Once  in  my  stall,  they  promptly 
passed  the  halter  over  my  head  and  untied  the  rope  that 
was  choking  me ;  then  the  coachman  having  first  taken 
the  precaution  to  shut  the  door,  seized  the  wagon  whip 
and  began  to  beat  me  unmercifully,  without  the  slightest 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         183 

remonstrance  or  sign  of  pity  from  anyone  present.  In 
vain  did  I  bray  and  struggle,  my  young  masters  could 
not  hear  me,  and  the  coachman  was  free  to  consult  his 
own  time  and  taste  in  meting  out  the  punishment  due 
the  many  wicked  deeds  of  which  1  was  accused. 

He  left  me  in  a  state  of  suffering  and  dejection  impos- 
sible to  describe.  It  was  the  first  time  since  my  entrance 
into  this  house,  that  I  had  ever  been  humiliated  and 
beaten.  Since  then,  however,  in  reflecting  upon  it,  I 
have  recognized  the  justice  of  my  punishment. 

The  next  day  it  was  quite  late  when  the  coachman  let 
me  out  of  the  stable.  I  was  strongly  tempted  to  bite 
him  in  the  face,  but  was  prevented,  as  on  the  previous 
day,  only  by  the  fear  of  being  driven  off  the  place. 

I  directed  my  steps  towards  the  house.  The  children 
were  all  collected  around  the  front  entrance,  engaged  in 
a  most  animated  conversation. 

"  There  he  is  now,  that  wicked  Cadichon,"  said  William, 
seeing  me  approach  ;  "  let  us  chase  him  away,  he'll  bite 
us  or  play  some  ugly  trick  on  us,  like  he  did  the  other 
day  on  poor  Alfred." 

"  What  was  it  the  doctor  told  papa  just  now  ? "  asked 
Maud. 

"  He  says  that  Alfred  is  very  sick  ;  he  has  a  fever  and 
is  delirious,"  replied  William. 

"  Delirious  ?  "  inquired  James,  "  what  is  that  ? " 

"  A  person  is  delirious,"  answered  William,  "  when  he 
has  such  high  fever  that  he  does  not  know  what  he  says, 
when  he  does  not  recognize  anybody,  and  thinks  he  sees 
a  great  many  things  that  he  does  not." 


184         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

«  What  does  Alfred  think  he  sees  ? "  asked  Louis. 

"  He  imagines  all  the  time  that  Cadichon  is  before 
him  and  going  to  dart  at  him  and  bite  or  crush  him 
under  foot;  the  doctor  is  very  anxious  about  him  ;  papa 
and  my  uncles  have  gone  there  now." 

"  How  base  it  was  in  Cadichon  to  throw  poor  Alfred 
into  that  disgusting  hole  ! "  said  Beatrice. 

"  Yes ;  it  was  really  base,  sir,"  exclaimed  James,  turn- 
ing towards  me.  "  Go !  you  are  wicked  I  do  not  love 
you  anymore." 

"Nor  I,  nor  I,  nor  I,"  repeated  all  the  children  in 
unison.  "  Go  away,  we  want  nothing  more  to  do  with 
you!" 

I  was  filled  with  consternation ;  every  one,  even  to 
my  little  James  (heretofore  so  tender  and  affectionate), 
repulsed  me  now. 

I  slowly  directed  my  steps  in  another  direction,  but 
turned  and  looked  so  sadly  at  James  that  his  heart  was 
touched.  Running  to  me,  he  put  his  hands  on  my  head, 
and  said  in  a  caressing  voice  : 

"  Listen,  Cadichon,  we  don't  love  you  now,  but  if  you 
do  better  1  assure  you  we  will  love  you  as  before." 

"  No,  no ;  never  as  before  !  "  exclaimed  all  the  rest ; 
«  lie  has  been  too  bad  !  " 

"  You  see,  Cadichon,  what  comes  of  being  bad,"  said 
little  James,  passing  his  hand  over  my  neck.  "  You  see 
that  no  one  cares  for  you — but,"  added  he,  whispering  in 
my  ear,  "  I  still  love  you  a  little,  and  if  you  give  up  your 
ugly  tripks  I  will  love  you  a  great  deal,  just  as  before." 


He  Imagine*  that  CaJiohon  IB  going  to  Jump  on  aim.— (rage  184.) 


10' 


£185) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          187 

"  Take  care,  James,"  said  Henry,  "  don't  go  too  near 
him  ;  if  he  should  give  you  a  bite  or  a  kick,  he  would 
make  you  suffer  much." 

"  There  is  no  danger ;  I  am  very  sure  he'll  never  bite 
any  of  us." 

"  And  why  not  ?  "     He  threw  Alfred  off  twice." 

"  Oh !  but  Alfred,  that's  another  thing ;  he  does  not 
like  Alfred." 

"And  why  doesn't  he  like  Alfred  ?  What  did  Alfred 
ever  do  to  him  ?  He  might  take  a  notion  some  day  not 
to  like  us  either." 

James  made  no  answer,  for  indeed  there  was  nothing 
he  could  say ;  but  he  shook  his  head,  and  turning  towards 
me,  gave  me  such  a  friendly  little  caress,  that  I  was 
affected  to  tears.  The  abandonment  of  all  the  others, 
rendered  still  more  precious  those  marks  of  affection 
from  my  dear  little  James ;  and  for  the  first  time  a  sin- 
cere thought  of  repentance  found  its  way  into  my  heart. 
Poor  Alfred's  illness  caused  me  much  anxiety.  In  the 
afternoon,  we  heard  that  he  was  worse,  and  the  physician 
entertained  fears  of  his  life.  Towards  evening  my 
young  masters  themselves  went  to  his  father's  to  make 
inquiries  about  him.  Their  cousins  impatiently  awaited 
their  return,  and  at  the  first  glimpse  of  them  all  cried 
out :  "  Well,  what  news  ?  how  is  Alfred?  " 

"  Yery  sick,"  answered  William,  "  and  yet,  not  quite 
so  ill  as  he  was." 

"  His  poor  father,"  said  Henry, "  is  greatly  to  be  pitied  ; 
he  weeps  and  sighs,  and  begs  th  e  good  God  to  spare  him 


188         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

his  son ;  he  said  so  many  touching  things,  that  I  could 
not  help  crying  myself." 

"  We  must  all  remember  him  in  our  evening  prayers, 
we  must  pray,  with  him  and  for  him,  must  we  not,  dear 
ones  ? "  sad  Elizabeth. 

"  Certainly,  with  all  our  hearts,"  responded  every  child 
at  once. 

"  Poor  Alfred  !  suppose  he  should  die !  "  said  Beatrice. 

"  Then,"  answered  Maud,  "  his  father  would  lose  his 
mind  from  grief,  for  Alfred  is  his  only  child  ! " 

"Where  is  Alfred's  mother?"  said  Elizabeth,  "we 
never  see  her." 

"  It  would  be  very  astonishing  if  we  were  to  see  her," 
answered  William,  "  for  she  has  been  dead  ten  years." 

"And  the  singular  part  of  it  is,  that  the  poor  lady's 
death  was  caused  by  her  falling  into  the  water  whilst  on 
a  boating  party,"  said  Henry. 

"  How  ?  was  she  drowned,"  inquired  Elizabeth. 

"  No,"  said  William,  "  she  was  rescued  immediately  ; 
but  it  was  warm  weather,  and  the  sudden  chill  of  the 
water,  combined  with  the  fright,  threw  her  into  a  fever 
and  delirium  just  like  Alfred's,  from  which  she  died  in 
eight  days." 

"  Oh  !  my  God!  "  exclaimed  Maud,  "  grant  it  may  not 
be  thus  with  Alfred !  " 

"And  for  this  intention  we  must  pray  fervently,"  said 
Elizabeth,  "  perhaps  the  good  God  will  grant  our  request.'1 

"  Where  is  James  ?  "  inquired  Beatrice. 

"  He  was  here  just  now,  he  will  return,"  said  Maud 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         191 

But  the  poor  child  did  not  return,  for  he  had  thrown 
himself  upon  his  knees  t^hind  a  chest,  and  with  his  head 
buried  in  his  hands,  he  wept  and  prayed !  And  it  was  I 
who  had  caused  all  this  sorrow,  Alfred's  illness,  his  father's 
anxiety  and  bitter  grief,  my  little  James's  distress.  This 
thought  was  a  sad  one  for  me,  I  began  to  reflect  that  it 
would  have  been  better  to  have  left  Medor's  death 
unavenged. 

"  What  good  did  Alfred's  fall  do  to  Medor  ! "  I  asked. 
"  Medor  is  none  the  less  lost  to  me,  and  the  vengeance  1 
have  taken,  has  only  served  another  purpose,  that  of 
making  me  feared  and  detested." 

I  impatiently  awaited  the  next  morning's  news  of 
Alfred,  and  I  was  among  the  first  to  hear,  for  James  and 
Louis  harnessed  me  to  the  little  carriage  to  take  them 
over.  Immediately  on  our  arrival,  we  learned  from  a 
servant  who  was  hastening  for  the  doctor,  that  Alfred  had 
passed  a  bad  night,  and  had  just  had  a  convulsion  that 
greatly  alarmed  his  father.  James  and  Louis  waited  for 
the  doctor.  He  was  not  long  in  coming,  and  promised 
to  give  them  correct  news  of  his  patient. 

In  half  an  hour  he  decended  the  steps. 

"Oh!  Mister  Tudoux,  how  is  Alfred?"  inquired 
Louis  and  James. 

"  Yery  sick,  very  sick,  my  children,  but  not  as  ill  as  1 
feared,"  said  Mister  Tudoux  very  slowly. 

"  But  these  convulsions,"  asked  Louis,  "  are  they  not 
dangerous  ? " 

"No,  his  convulsion  resulted  from  great  irritation  of 


192         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKKY. 

the  nervous  system.  I  gave  him  a  pill  that  will  com- 
pose him.  He  is  not  dangerously  ill "  said  Doctor 
Tudoux,  in  the  same  slow,  deliberate  manner. 

"Then,  Mister  Tudoux,  you  do  not  think  he  will 
die  ?  "  asked  James. 

"  No,  no,  no,"  was  the  reply  in  the  same  measured 
tones,  "  he  is  not  seriously  ill,  not  at  all." 

"  I  am  so  glad !  "  exclaimed  both  the  boys,  "  thanks 
Mister  Tudoux.  Good-bye,  we  must  hasten  home  to 
take  the  good  news  to  our  cousins." 

"  Wait,  wait  a  moment.  Isn't  that  Cadichon  you  are 
driving  ? " 

"  Yes,  this  is  Cadichon,"  replied  James. 

"  Then  take  care,"  said  Doctor  Tudoux  calmly,  "  he 
might  throw  you  into  a  ditch  as  he  did  Alfred.  Tell 
your  grandmother  she  ought  to  sell  him,  he  is  a  danger- 
ous animal," 

And  the  Doctor  bade  them  good  morning.  &s  forme, 
I  remained  in  such  a  state  of  astonishment  and  humilia- 
tion, that  I  stood  motionless,  never  dreaming  of  taking 
a  step  homeward  until  my  little  masters  had  thrice  said 
to  me: 

"  Come,  Cadichon,  get  up !  — Go,  Cadichon,  get  along, 
we  are  in  a  hurry !  — Are  you  going  to  sleep  here,  Cadi- 
chon ?  Get  up,  get  up !  " 

I  started  at  last,  and  ran  all  the  way  to  the  house, 
reaching  which,  we  found  the  cousins,  uncles  and  aunts, 
papas  and  mammas  assembled  at  the  first  entrance, 
anxiously  awaiting  our  return. 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF    A    OONKET.  193 

"  He  is  better,"  exlaimed  James  and  Louis,  and  then 
they  related  their  conversation  with  Mister  Tudoux,  not 
forgetting  his  last  injunction. 

With  lively  trepidation,  I  awaited  the  grandmother's 
decision.  After  an  instant's  reflection,  she  said : 

"  It  is  very  certain,  my  dear  children,  that  Cadichon 
no  longer  deserves  our  confidence,  and  I  do  not  wish  the 
smaller  of  you  to  mount  him.  The  very  next  trick  he 
plays  on  any  one,  I  shall  sell  him  to  the  miller,  who  will 
give  him  employment  in  carrying  bags  of  flour,  but  I 
want  to  try  him  a  little  longer,  before  reducing  him  to 
this  state  of  humiliation.  Perhaps  he  will  reform,  we 
shall  be  able  to  tell  very  well  at  the  end  of  a  few 
months." 

My  dejection,  my  humiliation,  my  repentance  in- 
creased, but  I  could  not  repair  the  evil  1  had  wrought 
myself,  except  by  dint  of  patience,  gentleness  and  time. 
I  was  deeply  wounded  both  in  my  pride  and  my  affec- 
tions. 

IS'ext  day  we  heard  still  more  encouraging  news  of 
Alfred.  A  few  days  later  he  was  convalescent,  and 
ceased  to  be  the  subject  of  anxiety  at  the  castle. 

But  I  could  never  have  him  out  of  my  mind,  for  some 
one  was  continually  saying  within  my  hearing  : 

"  Beware  of  Cadichon !  Remember  Alfred ! " 


17 


XXIII. 

THE  REFORMATION. 

SINCE  the  day  I  had  scratched  Alfred's  face,  brushing 
him  up  against  all  the  thorny  bnshes  along  the  road,  and 
ended  by  pitching  him  into  the  ditch,  there  was  a  very 
visible  change  in  the  treatment  I  received  from  my  little 
masters,  their  parents,  and  in  fact,  from  every  one  about 
the  place.  The  very  animals  behaved  differently  towards 
me ;  they  seemed  to  avoid  me,  moving  off  when  I 
approached  them,  or  maintaining  a  rigid  silence  in  my 
presence ;  for,  as  I  have  already  remarked  in  connection 
with  my  friend  Medor,  we  other  animals  converse  among 
ourselves  without  speaking  as  men  do,  movements  of  the 
eyes,  the  ears,  the  tail  taking  the  place  of  words.  1 
knew  only  too  well  what  had  caused  this  change,  and  I 
was  more  irritated  than  grieved,  until  one  day,  when, 
alone  as  usual,  taking  my  ease  at  the  foot  of  a  pine  tree, 
I  saw  Henry  and  Elizabeth  approach ;  they  seated  them- 
selves and  continued  their  conversation. 

"  I  believe  you  are  right,  Henry,"  said  Elizabeth,  "  and 
I  agree  with  you ;  I  also  care  very  little  for  Cadichon 
since  he  treated  Alfred  so  badly." 

"  And  not  only  Alfred  ;   don't  you  remember  the  fair 

U94) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         195 

of  Laigle,  how  he  behaved  to  the  learned  donkey's  mas- 
ter ? "  replied  Henry. 

"  All !  ah !  ah !  Yes  ;  I  recollect  very  well,  it  was 
funny !  Everybody  laughed  ;  but  for  all  that,  we  thought 
he  displayed  more  wit  than  heart." 

"  That  is  true  ;  he  humbled  the  poor  donkey  and  his 
master.  I  have  been  told  that  the  unfortunate  man  was 
so  ridiculed  he  had  to  leave  without  a  cent  in  his  pocket, 
and  his  wife  and  children  were  in  tears  for  want  of 
something  to  eat." 

"  And  it  was  all  Cadichon's  fault." 

"  Certainly  ;  except  for  him  the  poor  man  would  have 
made  enough  to  live  on  several  weeks." 

"  And,  then,  do  you  remember  what  was  told  us  about 
the  tricks  he  played  his  former  masters  ?  He  ate  their 
vegetables,  broke  their  eggs,  soiled  their  linen — I  am 
decidedly  of  your  opinion  ;  I  care  for  him  no  more." 

Elizabeth  and  Henry  arose  and  continued  their  walk. 
I  remained  sad  and  dejected  ;  my  first  impulse  was  to 
get  angry  and  gratify  myself  by  taking  some  slight 
revenge,  but  reflection  convinced  me  that  they  were 
right;  I  was  always  taking  revenge,  and  what  had  it 
availed  me?  it  had  rendered  me  unhappy. 

First,  I  had  broken  the  teeth  and  the  arm  of  one  of 
my  mistresses,  and  kicked  her  in  the  stomach.  The  con- 
sequence was  that  I  would  have  been  beaten  almost  to 
death  had  I  not  luckily  made  my  escape. 

I  had  also  played  numberless  tricks  on  one  of  my 
masters,  who  had  been  good  to  me  until  I  got  lazy  and 


106          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

vicious ;  then  he  treated  me  harshly,  and  I  became 
very  unhappy. 

As  to  the  death  of  my  friend  Medor,  I  had  never 
reflected  that  Alfred  killed  him  not  intentionally,  or 
from  malice,  but  through  awkwardness,  and  that  for  his 
stupidity  the  boy  was  not  to  blame.  In  revenge,  I  had 
tormented  him,  finishing  by  causing  him  a  spell  of  sick- 
ness, the  consequence  of  his  plunge  into  the  ditch. 

And  besides  all  these,  of  what  numberless  untold  tricks 
had  I  not  been  guilty  1 

The  end  of  which  was  that  no  one  cared  for  me.  I 
was  alone,  no  one  came  near  to  console  or  caress  me, 
even  the  animals  kept  out  of  my  way. 

"  What  shall  I  do  ? "  I  sadly  asked  myself.  "  If  I 
could  speak,  I  would  go  and  tell  them  all  that  I  have 
repented,  that  I  beg  pardon  for  my  past  conduct,  that 
hereafter,  1  promise  to  be  good  and  gentle,  but  alas !  — 
I  cannot  make  them  understand,  I  cannot  speak !  " 

I  threw  myself  upon  the  grass  and  wept,  not  as  men 
shed  tears,  but  in  the  depths  of  my  heart ;  I  wept,  I 
bemoaned  my  sad  lot,  and  for  the  first  time  I  repented 
sincerely. 

"  Ah !  if  I  had  been  good "  said  I  "  and  instead  of 
displaying  my  intelligence,  had  tried  to  show  kindness, 
gentleness,  patience!  if  I  had  only  been  to  every  one 
what  I  was  to  Pauline  !  how  every  one  would  love  me, 
and  how  happy  I  should  now  be !  " 

I  reflected  a  long  time,  a  very  long  time,  forming  first 
good  resolutions  and  plans  and  then  bad. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          197 

At  last,  I  decided  upon  a  reformation  so  as  to  regain 
the  favor  of  my  masters  and  comrades,  and  I  began  im- 
mediately to  put  my  good  resolutions  into  practice. 

For  some  time,  I  had  had  a  comrade  that  I  treated  very 
badly,  a  donkey  which  was  bought  for  the  little  ones,  as 
they  were  afraid  to  ride  me  after  I  came  so  near  drown- 
ing Alfred.  The  larger  children  were  not  afraid  of  me, 
but  I  had  lost  favor  and  there  were  no  longer  any  dis- 
putes at  their  riding  parties,  as  to  who  should  have  me, 
little  James  being  the  only  one  who  asked  for  me. 

This  comrade  was  the  object  of  my  especial  contempt, 
I  always  kept  him  behind  me,  kicking  and  biting  him 
if  he  attempted  to  pass,  until  at  last,  the  poor  animal 
was  worried  into  giving  me  first  place  and  submitting  to 
all  my  caprices. 

That  evening  when  the  time  arrived  for  us  to  go  into 
the  stable,  I  found  myself  near  the  door  almost  at  the 
same  moment  as  my  comrade.  He  eagerly  made  way 
for  me  to  enter  first,  but  as  he  was  a  few  steps  ahead,  I 
stopped  in  turn,  and  made  a  sign  for  him  to  pass.  The 
poor  donkey  obeyed  me,  but  trembling,  suspicious  of  my 
politeness  and  believing  it  only  the  prelude  to  some 
trick,  for  instance  a  kick  or  a  bite.  He  was  very  much 
astonished  to  find  himself  safe  and  sound  in  his  stall,  and 
to  see  me  take  my  place  peaceably  in  mine. 

Noticing  his  astonishment,  I  said  to  him : 

"  Brother,  I  have  treated  you  very  badly,  but  I  shall 
do  so  no  longer ;  I  have  been  proud,  but  I  shall  never  be 
so  again  ;  I  have  despised,  humiliated,  insulted  you,  but 

17* 


198          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

I  do  not  intend  to  repeat  it.  Pardon  me,  brother,  and 
in  future  regard  me  as  a  companion,  a  friend." 

"  Thanks,  brother,"  replied  the  poor  donkey  over- 
joyed. "  I  was  unhappy,  but  I  will  be  happy  now ;  I 
was  sad,  I  will  be  gay ;  I  felt  myself  isolated,  but  now 
I  feel  loved  and  protected.  Thanks  again,  brother,  love 
me.  for  I  already  love  you." 

"  Let  me  in  turn,  brother,  thank  you,"  said  I,  "  for  I 
have  been  spiteful  and  you  have  pardoned  me,  I  have 
made  advances  and  you  have  not  repuL-ed  me,  I  have 
oifered  you  my  friendship,  and  you  have  given  me  yours. 
Yes,  it  is  my  turn,  brother,  to  thank  you." 

And  eating  our  supper,  we  thus  continued  to  converse. 
It  was  the  first  time,  for  hitherto  I  had  never  deigned  to 
notice  him.  I  found  him  much  better  and  wiser  than 
myself,  and  I  asked  him  to  assist  me  in  my  new  life, 
which  he  promised  to  do  with  equal  affection  and  modesty. 

The  horses,  witnesses  of  our  conversation  and  my  unac- 
customed gentleness,  glanced  at  me  and  then  at  one 
another  with  surprise.  Although  they  conversed  in  an 
undertone,  I  heard  one  say  : 

"  This  is  all  pretence  on  Cadichon's  part ;  he  is  going 
to  play  some  trick  on  his  companion." 

"  Poor  donkey,"  answered  the  second  horse,  "  I  pity 
him.  Suppose  we  give  him  a  hint  of  it." 

"  Oh,  no  indeed,"  replied  the  first  horse.  "  Silence ! 
Cadichon  is  wicked !  he  would  pay  us  up  for  this  if  he 
were  to  hear  us." 

I  was  deeply  wounded  at  the  bad  opinion  those  two 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF    A   DONKEY.  199 

horses  had  of  me ;  the  third  said  nothing,  but  putting 
his  head  over  the  stall,  he  observed  me  attentively.  I 
looked  at  him  sadly  and  humbly.  He  appeared  surprised 
but  never  moved,  and  continued  to  regard  me  in  silence. 

Fatigued  and  worn  out  by  sorrow  and  regret,  I  lay 
down  upon  my  bed,  and  as  I  did  so,  perceived  it  was  less 
soft  and  comfortable  than  my  comrade's.  Instead  of 
getting  angry  as  formerly,  I  recognized  the  justice  of  such 
treatment,  and  indulged  in  penitent  reflexions. 

"  I  have  been  wicked,"  said  I,  "  and  they  have  pun- 
ished me ;  I  have  made  myself  detestable,  and  they  have 
made  me  feel  it.  I  ought  to  congratulate  myself  on  not 
having  been  sent  to  the  mill,  where  I  would  be  beaten, 
badly  stabled,  and  my  back  broken  with  heavy  loads." 

Thus  bemoaning  my  past  misdeeds,  I  fell  asleep.  As 
I  awoke  the  next  morning  the  coachman  entered  the 
stable,  assisting  me  to  rise  with  a  kick,  he  took  off  my 
halter  and  set  me  at  liberty.  I  remained  at  the  door, 
and  to  my  surprise,  beheld  him  curry  and  carefully  rub 
down  my  comrade,  then  pass  my  beautful  ornamented 
bridle  over  his  head,  put  my  English  saddle  on  his  back, 
and  lead  him  around  to  the  front  entrance. 

Anxious,  trembling  with  emotion,  I  followed,  and  oh ! 
what  was  my  chagrin,  my  desolation  to  see  James,  my 
beloved  little  master,  approach  my  comrade,  and  after  a 
little  hesitation,  seat  himself  in  the  saddle.  I  remained 
motionless,  overcome  with  grief.  Dear  little  James  per- 
ceived my  consternation,  for  coining  up  to  me,  he  patted 
me  on  the  head  and  said  sadly : 


200          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  Poor  Cadichon !  you  see  what  you  have  done!  I  am 
not  afraid  to  ride  you,  but  papa  and  mama  are  afraid  you 
will  pitch  me  off.  Good  bye,  poor  Cadichon  ;  be  quiet, 
I  will  always  like  you." 

And  he  rode  slowly  off,  followed  by  the  coachman, 
who  cried  out  to  him : 

"  Take  care,  Master  James,  do  not  stay  too  near  Cadi- 
chon, he  will  bite  you,  he  will  bite  your  donkey,  you 
know  very  well  how  wicked  he  is." 

"  He  never  was  wicked  with  me  and  he  never  will  be," 
answered  James. 

The  coachman  struck  the  donkey,  which  started  at  a 
trot,  and  both  he  and  his  rider  were  soon  out  of  sight. 
I  remained  rooted  to  the  spot,  overwhelmed  with  emo- 
tion, which  was  so  much  the  more  violent  in  proportion 
to  the  impossibility  of  making  anyone  understand  my 
repentance  and  my  good  resolutions.  Almost  frantic 
with  the  insupportable  weight  oppressing  my  heart,  I 
started  off  in  a  run,  not  knowing  whither  1  went.  I  ran 
R  long  time,  breaking  through  hedges,  leaping  ditches, 
clearing  fences,  crossing  streams,  not  stopping  till  I  came 
to  a  wall  which  I  could  neither  break  nor  leap. 

I  looked  around  me.  Where  was  I  ?  The  country 
seemed  familiar,  but  I  could  not  remember  when  I  had 
ever  been  there  before.  I  skirted  the  wall  at  a  rapid 
pace.  I  was  in  a  foam,  having  run  several  hours,  judg- 
ing by  the  sun.  A  few  steps  brought  me  to  the  end  of 
the  wall ;  I  turned  the  corner,  and  recoiled  with  surprise 
and  terror — I  was  not  more  than  two  steps  from  Pauline's 
tomb. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          201 

M y  anguish  was  more  bitter  than  ever.  "  Pauline,  my 
dear  little  mistress ! "  I  exclaimed,  "  you  loved  me  because 
I  was  good ;  I  loved  you  because  you  were  good  and 
unhappy.  After  losing  you,  I  found  others,  who,  good 
like  you,  treated  me  kindly.  I  was  happy  then,  but  all 
is  changed  now ;  my  bad  disposition,  the  desire  of  dis- 
playing my  ability  and  satisfying  my  vengeance  have 
destroyed  all  my  happiness ;  no  one  cares  for  me  now, 
and  if  I  were  to  die  no  one  would  regret  me." 

I  wept  bitterly  within  myself,  and  for  the  hundredth 
time  reproached  myself  with  my  misconduct.  One  con- 
soling thought  suddenly  inspired  me  with  consolation. 
"  If  I  reform,"  thought  I,  "  and  do  as  much  good  as  I 
have  evil,  perhaps  my  young  masters  will  receive  me 
again  into  their  confidence,  my  dear  little  James 
especially,  who  still  loves  me  a  little.  But  how  shall  I 
make  known  to  them  my  repentance  and  reformation  ? " 

"Whilst  thus  reflecting  on  my  future,  I  heard  steps 
approaching  the  wall,  and  the  harsh  voice  of  a  man, 
saying : 

"  What  is  the  use  of  crying,  simpleton  ?  Tears  will 
not  give  you  bread,  will  they  ?  Since  I  have  nothing  to 
give  you,  what  do  you  wish  me  to  do  here  ?  Do  you  sup- 
pose I  have  a  full  stomach,  1  who  have  swallowed  nothing 
since  yesterday  morning  but  air  and  dust  ? " 

"  I  am  very  tired,  father." 

"  Well,  let  us  rest  under  the  shade  of  this  wall  for  a 
quarter  of  an  hour ;  I  am  quite  willing." 

As  they  turned  the  wall  and  seated  themselves  near 


202         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

the  tomb  where  I  stood,  judge  of  my  astonishment  at 
seeing  Mirliflore's  poor  master,  with  his  wife  and  son  ! 
They  all  had  a  hungry,  emaciated,  care-worn  appearance. 

The  father  looked  at  me ;  he  seemed  surprised,  and, 
after  a  few  minutes  hesitation  : 

"  If  I  see  aright,"  said  he,  "  this  is  the  donkey,  the 
beggarly  donkey  that  made  me  lose  more  than  fifty  francs 
at  the  Laigle  fair.  You  wicked  animal,"  he  continued, 
addressing  me,  "  you  were  the  cause  of  my  poor  Mirli- 
flore  being  killed  by  the  crowd ;  it  was  you  who  pre- 
vented my  gaining  money  enough  to  have  lived  on  a 
month ;  you  shall  pay  up  for  it ! " 

He  arose  and  approached,  but  I  did  not  stir,  being 
keenly  conscious  that  I  had  merited  this  man's  indigna- 
tion. He  was  astonished. 

"  It  cannot  be  the  same,"  said  he,  "  for  he  does  not 
budge  any  more  than  a  stick — "Pretty  fellow,"  he  con- 
tinued addressing  me  and  smoothing  my  limbs.  "  If  I 
had  him  only  a  month,  you  would  not  want  bread  my 
son,  nor  your  mother,  nor  would  iry  stomach  be  so 
empty." 

My  mind  was  made  up  in  an  instant,  I  resolved  to 
follow  this  man  for  several  days,  and  suffer  everything  if 
necessary,  to  help  him  make  some  money  for  his  family, 
in  reparation  of  the  wrong  I  dad  done  him. 

When  they  resumed  their  journey,  I  followed  them ; 
at  first,  it  was  not  noticed,  but  the  father  having  looked 
around  several  times,  and  seen  me  always  at  their  heels, 
tried  to  drive  me  back.  I  refused  to  leave  them,  persist- 


The  owner  of  MirUflore,  with  his  wife  and  8on.-<Page  203.) 


C203) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          205 

ently  returning  to  my  place  beside  or  just  behind 
them. 

"  It  is  strange  "  said  the  man,  "  that  this  animal  will 
follow  us!  My  faith,  since  he  is  so  determined,  let  him 
do  it." 

On  reaching  the  village,  he  presented  himself  at  an 
inn,  and  asked  for  a  meal  and  lodging,  frankly  confess- 
ing that  he  had  not  a  cent  in  his  pocket. 

"  We  have  beggars  enough  of  our  own,  my  good 
man,"  answered  the  inn-keeper,  "  without  adding  those 
who  do  not  belong  here,  you  must  go  elsewhere." 

I  darted  to  the  inn-keeper's  side,  and  saluted  him  sev- 
eral times  in  such  a  grotesque  fashion  as  to  make  him 
laugh. 

"  This  animal  of  yours  docs  not  appear  stupid,"  said 
the  inn-keeper,  laughing.  "  If  you  will  let  us  see  some 
of  his  tricks,  I  will  cheerfully  give  you  food  and  lodg- 
ing." 

"  I  do  not  refuse,  landlord,  but  we  must  have  some- 
thing in  our  stomachs  first,"  answered  the  man,  "  when 
fasting,  one  cannot  control  his  voice  properly." 

"Come  in,  come  in,  you  shall  be  waited  on  ;  Madelon, 
my  old  woman,  dinner  for  three,  not  counting  the 
donkey." 

Madelon  brought  them  some  good  soup,  which  was 
swallowed  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  then  a  nice  piece 
of  boiled  meat  and  some  cabbage,  both  of  which  disap- 
peared with  equal  rapidity,  and  at  last,  a  dish  of  salad 

13 


206          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

and  some  cheese,  which  they  devoured  with  less  avidity, 
their  hunger  by  this  time  being  somewhat  appeased. 

My  dinner  was  a  bundle  of  hay,  but  I  ate  very  little, 
I  had  too  heavy  a  heart  to  be  hungry. 

The  inn-keeper  had  collected  all  the  village  to  see  me 
perform,  and  the  yard  was  filled,  when  my  new  master 
led  me  out  into  the  circle.  He  seemed  greatly  embar- 
rassed, not  knowing  my  capacity  or  whether  I  had 
received  any  education.  At  a  venture  he  said  to  me  : 

"  Salute  the  society." 

"  I  made  a  bow  to  the  right,  to  the  left,  before  me  and 
behind,  and  everybody  applauded." 

"  "What  are  you  going  to  make  him  do  now  ?  "  said  the 
wife  in  an  under  tone,  "he  doesn't  know  what  you 
mean." 

"  Perhaps  he  will  understand.  These  educated  don- 
keys are  intelligent,  I  am  going  to  try  him." 

"Go,  Mirliflore,"  (this  name  made  me  sigh)  "go,  kiss 
the  prettiest  lady  here." 

Looking  right  and  left,  I  perceived  behind  nearly 
every  one  else,  the  landlord's  daughter,  a  pretty  brunette 
of  some  fifteen  or  sixteen  years.  I  directed  my  steps 
towards  her,  and  pushing  away  with  my  head,  those  who 
blocked  the  passage,  I  went  up  to  her  and  put  my  nose 
against  her  forehead.  She  laughed  and  seemed  to  be 
quite  pleased. 

"Say  now,  father  Hutfcr,  you  gave  that  lesson,  didn't 
you  ? "  exclaimed  several  in  the  crowd,  laughing. 

"No,  upon  my  honor,"  answered  Hutfer,  "I  came 
only  as  a  spectator." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          207 

"  Now,  Mirliflore,"  said  my  new  master, "  go  find  some- 
thing, no  matter  what,  and  give  it  to  the  poorest  person 
present." 

I  went  towards  the  room  in  which  they  had  just  dined, 
seized  a  loaf  of  bread  and  triumphantly  deposited  it  in 
his  own  hands. 

There  was  a  general  laugh,  everybody  applauded. 
"  That's  not  your  lesson,  father  Hutfer,"  cried  a  friend, 
"  this  donkey  really  is  sensible,  he  has  profited  well  by 
his  master's  training." 

"Are  you  going  to  let  him  have  a  whole  loaf  of  bread 
like  that?  "  said  some  one  in  the  crowd. 

"No,  not  that,"  answered  Hutfer,  "give  it  to  me, 
donkey-man,  this  was  not  in  our  agreement." 

"  It  was  not,  landlord,"  responded  the  man,  "  never- 
theless rny  donkey  told  the  truth,  when  he  pointed  me 
out  as  the  poorest  here,  for  until  we  got  our  dinner,  my 
wife,  my  son,  and  myself  had  eaten  nothing  since  yester- 
day morning,  for  want  of  two  sous  to  buy  a  bit  of  bread. 

"  Let  him  have  the  bread,  father,  said  Helen  Hutfer, 
"our  meal  bins  are  full,  and  the  good  God  will  recom- 
pense us  for  what  we  give  away." 

"  That  is  just  like  you,  Helen,"  said  Hutfer,  "  if  one 
listened  to  you,  he  would  give  away  all  he  has." 

"  We  are  no  longer  poor,  father,  the  good  God  always 
blesses  our  harvests  and  our  house." 

"  Well,  then — since  you  wish  it — let  him  keep  his 
bread,  I  am  willing." 

At  these  words,  I  went  up  to  him,  and  made  him  a 


208         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

profound  bow.  Then  taking  between  my  teeth  a  little 
empty  pan,  I  presented  it  to  each  one  for  his  contribu- 
tion, and  when  after  going  the  round  my  pan  was  full,  I 
emptied  the  contents  into  my  master's  hands,  put  the  pan 
where  I  had  found  it,  and  making  a  bow,  I  gravely 
retired  amidst  a  storm  of  applause. 

My  heart  felt  lighter.  I  was  consoled  and  strengthened 
in  my  good  resolutions.  My  new  master  seemed  delighted. 
As  he  was  about  to  retire,  every  one  surrounded  him, 
begging  a  second  exhibition  on  the  morrow,  which  he 
eagerly  promised,  and  then  went  into  the  room  with  his 
wife  and  son  to  rest. 

When  they  found  themselves  alone,  the  wife,  after  look- 
ing cautiously  around  her,  and  perceiving  no  one  but  me 
with  my  head  resting  upon  the  window,  said  to  her  hus- 
band in  a  low  tone : 

"  Say  husband,  don't  you  think  it  very  singular  our 
meeting  this  donkey  coming  out  of  a  cemetery,  its  follow- 
ing us  of  its  own  accord,  and  making  so  much  money  for 
us?  What  amount  have  you  there?  " 

"  I  have  not  yet  counted,"  he  answered,  come  help  me, 
you  take  this  handful  and  I,  the  other." 

"  I  have  eight  francs  and  four  sous,"  said  the  woman, 
after  counting. 

"And  I  have  seven  fifty — that  makes — how  much  does 
that  make,  wife  ?  " 

"  How  much  does  that  make  ?  Eight  and  four  make 
thirteen,  and  seven  make  twenty-four,  and  fifty  make — 
make — somewhere  about  sixty." 


THE  ADVENTUBES  OF  A  DONKEY.          209 

"  How  stupid  you  are !  Sixty  francs  in  my  hands, 
indeed  !  It  is  an  impossibility  !  Come,  my  son,  you  are 
something  of  a  scholar,  you  ought  to  know  that." 

"What  is  it,  papa?" 

"  I  have  eight  francs  four  sous  on  one  side,  and  seven 
francs  fifty  on  the  other." 

"  Eight  and  four  make  twelve,"  said  the  boy,  with 
quite  a  decided  air ;  "  carry  one,  and  seven  make  twenty, 
carry  two,  and  fifty  make — make — fifty — fifty-two,  carry 
five." 

"  Dunce!  how  could  that  make  fifty,  since  I  have  eight 
in  one  hand  and  seven  in  the  other  ? " 

"  And  fifty  besides,  papa." 

" '  And  fifty  besides,  papa  ? ' "  said  his  father,  mocking 
him.  "  Don't  you  see,  simpleton,  that  the  fifty  are  cent- 
imes ?  and  centimes  are  not  francs." 

"  No,  papa ;  but  it  would  still  be  fifty. 

"  Fifty  what  ?  How  stupid  !  how  stupid  !  If  I  were 
to  give  you  fifty  knocks,  would  you  call  them  fifty 
francs  ? " 

"  No,  papa ;  but  they  would  still  be  fifty." 

"  Here  is  one  on  the  account,  big  animal,"  said  the 
man,  giving  him  a  blow  that  resounded  through  the 
house.  The  boy  began  to  cry.  I  was  enraged.  If  this 
poor  boy  was  stupid,  it  was  not  his  fault. 

"  This  man,"  said  I,  "  does  not  merit  my  pity  ;  he  has 
now,  thanks  to  myself,  enough  to  support  himself  and 
family  for  the  next  eight  days.  I  shall  still  make  more 

18* 


210          THE  ADVENTURES  OP  A  DONKEY. 

at  to-morrow's  exhibition,  and,  after  that,  I  return  to  my 
masters,  perhaps  they  will  receive  me  kindly." 

I  withdrew  from  the  window  and  refreshed  myself  with 
a  few  fresh  thistles  that  I  saw  growing  on  the  edge  of  a 
ditch.  I  then  went  to  the  stable,  and,  finding  the  best 
places  there  already  occupied  by  the  horses,  I  modestly 
took  a  corner  that  no  one  wanted.  There  I  could  reflect 
at  my  ease,  for  nobody  knew  me,  nobody  troubled  him- 
self about  me.  Towards  night,  Helen  Hutfer  entered 
the  stable  to  see  if  everything  had  been  attended  to,  and, 
perceiving  me  in  my  damp,  obscure  corner,  without  a 
bed,  hay  or  oats,  she  called  one  of  the  stable  boys : 

"  Ferdinand,"  said  she,  "  make  a  bed  for  this  poor 
donkey  here  on  the  damp  ground,  give  him  a  measure  of 
oats  and  a  bundle  of  hay,  and  see  that  he  has  water." 

"  Miss  Helen,"  replied  Ferdinand,  "  you  will  ruin  your 
papa ;  you  are  too  careful  of  everything.  What  differ- 
ence does  it  make  whether  this  beast  sleeps  on  a  hard  or 
a  good  bed  ?  It  is  a  waste  of  straw,  that ! " 

"  You  don't  find  me  too  careful  or  kind  when  it  con- 
cerns yourself,  Ferdinand  ;  I  wish  everything  here  to  be 
well  treated,  beasts  as  well  as  men." 

"  Although,"  said  Ferdinand,  with  a  mischievous  air, 
"  there  are  not  a  few  men  who  could  easily  be  taken  for 
beasts,  notwithstanding  they  do  walk  on  two  legs." 

"  Wherefore  we  say :  '  Beast  which  eat  hay,' "  answered 
Helen,  smiling. 

"  Oh  !  I  would  never  give  hay  to  you,  miss,  indeed  ! 
You  have  the  wit — the  wit — and  the  mischief  of  a 
monkey ! " 


*Ahl  miss,  I  did  not  say  you  were  a  monkey ."-(Paffe  213.) 


C2UJ 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          213 

Thanks  for  the  compliment,  Ferdinand  !  "  What  are 
you  then,  if  I  am  a  monkey  ? " 

"  Ah !  Miss,  I  did  not  say  you  were  a  monkey ;  and  if 
I  expressed  myself  badly,  call  me  a  donkey,  a  simpleton, 
an  owl." 

"  No,  no,  not  so  bad  as  that,  Ferdinand,  but  only  a 
babbler  who  talks  when  he  ought  to  work.  Make  a  bed 
for  the  donkey,"  added  she  in  a  serious  tone,  "  and  feed 
and  water  him." 

She  left  the  stable  and  Ferdinand  complied  with  her 
orders  in  a  measure,  grumbling  all  the  while.  He  made 
me  a  bed,  giving  me  a  few  thrusts  of  the  pitchfork  as  he 
did  so,  ill-naturedly  threw  me  a  bundle  of  hay  and  a 
handful  of  oats,  and  put  a  bucket  of  water  beside  me. 

Not  being  fastened  I  could  easily  have  left  the  place, 
but  in  pursuance  of  my  good  resolutions  I  preferred  to 
suffer  a  little  and  give  on  the  morrow,  my  second,  and 
last  exhibition  for  the  benefit  of  the  man  1  had  wronged. 

Towards  evening  of  the  next  day  my  master  led  me 
out  to  a  large  square  crowded  with  curious  spectators; 
I  had  been  well  advertised  in  the  morning,  the  vil- 
lage drummer  having  gone  through  the  village  at  an 
early  hour  crying  out :  "  This  evening  at  eight  o'clock 
there  will  be  a  grand  exhibition  of  the  learned  donkey, 
Mirliflore ;  it  will  take  place  in  the  square  opposite  the 
school  and  mayor's  office." 

I  repeated  all  the  preceding  day's  tricks,  and  added 
some  dances  executed  with  grace ;  I  waltzed,  I  polkied, 
and,  I  played  on  Ferdinand  the  innocent  trick  of  en- 


214         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

gaging  him  to  waltz  by  braying  before  him,  and  extend- 
ing my  front  hoof  in  invitation.  He  refused  at  first,  but 
when  every  one  cried  out :  "  Yes,  yes,  a  waltz  with  a 
donkey!  "  he  darted  into  the  circle  laughing,  and  began 
to  cut  a  thousand  capers  that  I  imitated  at  my  best. 

At  last,  feeling  fatigued,  I  left  Ferdinand  caper  alone, 
and  went  as  on  the  preceding  day  to  get  a  pan.  Not 
finding  any,  I  took  between  my  teeth  a  basket  withoiit 
a  lid,  and,  as  before,  presented  it  to  each  one  for  a  con- 
tribution. It  was  soon  so  full  that  I  had  to  empty  it  in 
the  blouse  of  my  reputed  master.  I  continued  my  beg- 
ging, and,  when  all  had  given  me,  I,  making  a  profound 
bow  to  the  assembly  again  returned  to  my  master,  and 
waited  till  he  had  counted  the  proceeds  which  amounted 
to  more  than  thirty-four  francs.  Thinking  I  had  now 
made  sufficient  reparation  for  the  past,  I  felt  at  liberty 
to  return  home,  and  consequently,  after  a  parting  saluta- 
tion to  my  master,  I  wedged  my  way  through  the 
crowd,  and  started  off  in  a  trot. 

"  Look  there,  your  donkey  has  got  away !  "  said  Hut- 
fer,  the  inn-keeper. 

"  How  prettily  he  files  off,"  said  Ferdinand. 

My  pretended  master  turned  around,  looked  at  me 
anxiously,  and  called,  "  Mirliflore,  Mirlifiore ; "  but  see- 
ing I  paid  no  attention,  he  cried  out  most  piteously : 

"  Stop  him,  stop  him,  please !  It  is  my  bread,  my  liv- 
ing he  carries  ofl';  do  run  catch  him,  if  you  bring  him 
back  I  promise  you  another  exhibition." 

"  Tell  us  where  you  got  him,  and  how  long  you  have 
had  him  ?  "  said  a  man  named  Clonet. 


The  town  crier.— (Pago  213.) 


(21&) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          217 

"  I  have  had  him — since  I  owned  him,"  answered  my 
false  master,  somewhat  embarrassed. 

"  I  know  that,"  said  Clonet,  "  but  how  long  have  you 
owned  him  ? " 

The  man  was  silent. 

"  It  appears  to  me,"  added  Clonet,  "  that  I  recognize 
him,  he  is  the  image  of  Cadichon,  the  donkey  of  Herpi- 
niere  castle  ;  If  I  am  not  very  much  mistaken  it  is 
Cadichon." 

"  I  was  stopped.  I  heard  a  confused  murmuring  of 
voices,  I  saw  the  trouble  menacing  my  new  master,  who 
suddenly  dashed  through  the  crowd,  and  followed  by  his 
wife  and  son,  darted  off  in  the  opposite  direction  to  that 
I  had  taken. 

Some  wished  to  pursue  him,  but  others  said  it  was  not 
worth  while,  since  I  had  escaped  and  the  man  had  taken 
nothing  away  with  him  but  the  silver,  which  was  his  own, 
I  having  honestly  made  it  for  him. 

"  And  as  to  Cadichon,"  said  they,  "  give  yourselves  no 
concern  about  him,  he  can  find  the  road  home,  and  more- 
over, he  will  not  let  himself  be  taken  unless  he  wishes 
it." 

The  crowd  dispersed  and  all  returned  to  their  homes. 
1  resumed  my  course  hoping  to  reach  my  real  masters 
before  night,  but  the  way  was  long,  and  being  fatigued 
I  was  consequently  obliged  to  stop  about  a  league  from  tho 
castle.  It  was  night,  the  stables  would  be  locked,  so  I 
decided  to  make  my  bed  in  a  little  piece  of  pine  woods 
bordering  on  a  stream. 

19 


218          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

Scarcely  had  I  lain  down  upon  the  moss,  when  I  heard 
cautious  steps  and  voices  speaking  in  a  whisper.  I 
looked,  but  saw  nothing,  the  night  was  too  dark.  I 
listened  with  all  my  ears  and  heard  the  conversation  I 
am  about  to  relate. 


XXIV. 

THE    ROBBERS. 

u  IT  is  not  late  enough  yet,  Finot,  it  would  be  wiser  to 
hide  ourselves  in  the  woods  a  little  longer." 

"  But  Passe  Partout,  we  must  have  a  little  daylight  to 
epy  around ;  I,  especially,  for  I  have  not  studied  the 
entrances." 

"  You  have  never  studied  anything,  your  comrades 
certainly  made  a  mistake  in  naming  you  Finot,  I  would 
have  called  you  Pataud,  instead." 

"  That  does  not  prevent  nay  being  the  originator  of  all 
the  good  plans." 

"  Good  plans  indeed !  that  depends.  What  are  we 
going  to  do  at  the  castle  ? " 

"  What  are  we  going  to  do  ?  Kifle  the  kitchen  garden, 
cut  up  the  artichokes,  gather  the  peas,  the  beans,  the 
turnips,  carrots,  carry  off  the  fruits,  that  is  the  work." 

"And  what  then  ? " 

"  Why  do  you  say  what  then  ?  We  are  going  to  col- 
lect everything  in  a  pile,  get  it  over  the  wall,  and  take  it 
to  the  market  at  Moulins  and  sell  it. 


.THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A    DONKEY.  219 

"And  how  will  you  get  into  the  garden,  dunce?" 

"  Over  the  wall,  with  a  ladder  to  be  sure.  Would  you 
have  me  go  to  the  gardener  and  politely  request  the  loan 
of  his  keys  and  tools  ?  " 

"  That's  a  poor  joke,  I  only  want  to  know  if  you  have 
marked  out  the  place  where  we  are  to  climb  over  the 
wall?" 

"  No,  and  for  that  reason,  I  prefer  going  at  once,  to 
reconnoitre." 

"And  if  they  should  see  you,  what  would  you  say  ? " 

"  I  would  say — that  I  came  to  beg  a  glass  of  cider  and 
a  crust  of  bread." 

"  That  plan  is  not  worth  much.  Now,  here  is  my  idea: 
I  know  the  kitchen  garden  ;  one  part  of  the  wall  needs 
repairing ;  I  can  climb  up  there  by  setting  my  feet 
among  the  stones ;  I  shall  find  a  ladder  and  pass  it  over 
to  you,  as  you  are  not  very  expert  in  climbing." 

"  No  ;  I  am  not  as  much  of  a  cat  as  you." 

"  But  suppose  some  one  comes  to  upset  our  plans?" 

"  You  are  a  real  child ;  if  any  one  comes  to  disturb 
me,  1  shall  know  what  to  do." 

"  What  would  you  do  ? " 

"  If  a  dog,  I  would  kill  him ;  1  don't  carry  my  sharp 
knife  to  no  purpose." 

"  But  suppose  it's  a  man  ?" 

"'A  man?'"  answered  Finot,  scratching  his  ear. 
"  That  would  be  more  perplexing-—  A  man  ?  yet  a  man 
can  be  killed  as  well  as  a  dog.  If  it  were  only  for  some- 
thing valuable  but  for  vegetables  1  And,  then,  this  castle 
is  full  of  people." 


220          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

" But  tell  me,  what  would  you  do?" 

"  My  faith !  I  would  make  off  as  fast  as  possible ;  it 
would  be  the  safest  plan." 

"  You  are  a  coward,  do  you  know  that  ?  If  you  see  or 
hear  a  man,  you  have  only  to  call  me,  and  I  will  settle 
him." 

"  Act  according  to  your  own  taste ;  it  would  not  be 
mine." 

"  Well,  now  we  are  agreed — this  is  the  plan :  To-night 
we  go  to  the  kitchen  garden  wall ;  you  remain  at  one 
end  as  a  guard,  whilst  I  climb  over  and  get  you  a  ladder, 
by  means  of  which  you  rejoin  me." 

"  Yes ;  it  is  all  right,"  answered  Finot. 

Just  then  he  looked  anxiously  around,  listened,  and 
said  in  a  whisper : 

"  I  heard  something  stir  back  there,  could  it  be 
anybody  2 " 

"  Who  wants  to  hide  in  the  woods  ? "  answered  Passe 
Partout.  "  You  are  always  afraid ;  it  may  be  a  frog  or 
a  snake." 

They  said  no  more.  I  did  not  stir  again,  and  I  now 
began  to  devise  some  means  of  thwarting  these  robbers' 
plans  and  causing  their  arrest.  I  could  warn  no  one  ;  I 
could  not  even  prevent  their  entering  the  garden.  How- 
ever, after  much  reflection,  I  thought  of  a  scheme  that 
might  end  theirs.  I  let  them  set  out  ahead  of  me, 
determined  not  to  budge  until  they  were  out  of  hearing. 

I  knew  they  could  not  walk  fast,  as  the  night  was  very 
dark.  I  took  a  short  cut,  and,  clearing  several  hedges, 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          221 

readied  the  wall  long  before  them.  I  knew  the  dilapi- 
dated place  of  which  Passe  Partout  had  spoken,  and, 
finding  it,  crouched  as  close  as  possible  to  the  wall  to 
prevent  their  discovering  me. 

Here  I  waited  at  least  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  still  no 
one  came ;  at  last,  I  heard  heavy  footsteps  and  then  a 
faint  whispering.  They  approached  very  cautiously,  one 
coming  towards  the  spot  in  which  I  was  concealed  (this 
was  Passe  Partout),  the  other  going  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion, near  the  entrance  (this  was  Finot). 

I  saw  nothing,  but  I  heard  all.  When  Passe  Partout 
reached  the  spot  where  several  stones  had  fallen  from  the 
wall,  and  thus  made  a  sufficient  resting  place  for  the 
feet,  he  began  to  ascend,  assisting  himself  with  his  hands. 
I  did  not  stir ;  I  scarcely  breathed  ;  I  heard  and  under- 
stood every  one  of  his  movements.  When  he  had  climbed 
about  as  high  as  my  head,  I  darted  out  from  my  hiding 
place,  seized  him  by  the  leg  and  gave  him  a  vigorous 
pull.  Before  he  had  time  to  recollect  himself,  he  was  on 
the  ground,  stunned  by  the  fall,  wounded  by  the  stones. 
To  prevent  his  crying  out,  or  calling  on  his  comrade  for 
help,  I  gave  him  a  hard  kick  on  the  head,  which  left  him 
unconscious.  I  then  took  my  station  very  near  him, 
thinking  his  comrade  would  soon  come  to  see  what  had 
happened.  I  had  not  waited  long  ere  I  heard  Finot 
advancing  very  cautiously.  He  took  a  few  steps  and 
stopped — he  listened,  heard  nothing — and  went  a  few 
steps  farther.  In  this  manner,  he  at  length  drew  very 
near  his  companion,  but  without  perceiving  it,  as  hia 

19* 


222         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

gaze  was  fixed  upon  the  wall  and  the  companion  lay 
motionless  on  the  ground. 

"Pst!  pst!  Have  you  the  ladder?  Must  I  mount 
now  ?  "  said  he,  in  a  low  voice.  The  other,  not  hearing 
him,  of  course  there  was  no  answer.  I  saw  that  he  was 
not  much  in  the  notion  of  climbing  and  might  leave — it 
was  time  to  act.  I  rushed  at  him,  and,  pulling  him  to 


the  ground  by  the  back  of  his  blouse,  gave  him,  like  his 
companion,  a  hard  kick  on  the  head,  and,  with  the  same 
success,  he  lay  motionless  near  his  friend.  Then,  having 
nothing  more  to  lose,  I  began  to  bray  in  my  most  formi- 
dable voice  ;  I  ran  to  the  gardener's  house,  to  the  stables, 
to  the  castle,  braying  with  such  violence  that  everybody 
was  aroused.  Some  of  the  bravest  hastened  out  with 
arms  and  lanterns ;  I  ran  up  to  them,  and,  by  running  a 


THE    ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 


223 


little  ahead,  led  them  to  the  two  robbers  stretched  at  the 
foot  of  the  wall. 

"Two  dead  men!  What  can  that  mean?"  said 
William's  father. 

"  They  are  not  dead,"  answered  James's  father;  "  they 
breathe." 


"  And  I  just  heard  one  groan,"  said  the  gardener. 

"  Look  at  the  blood  !  Such  a  wound  on  his  head  ! " 
said  the  coachman. 

"  And  the  other  is  similarly  wounded ;  it  looks  like 
the  kick  of  a  horse  or  mule,"  said  William's  father. 

"  Yes,"  replied  James's  father ;  "  here  is  the  mark  of 
the  shoe  on  his  forehead." 


221         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  What  are  the  gentlemen's  orders  ? "  asked  the  coach- 
man ;  "  what  shall  we  do  with  these  men  ?  " 

"  Carry  them  to  the  house,"  answered  William's  father ; 
"  harness  up  the  cab,  and  go  for  the  doctor ;  whilst  wait- 
ing for  him,  the  rest  of  us  will  try  to  restore  them  to 
consciousness." 

The  gardener  brought  a  litter,  on  which  the  wounded 
men  were  placed  and  carried  to  a  large  room  used  as  an 
orangery  in  winter.  They  were  still  unconscious. 

"  I  do  not  know  these  faces,"  said  the  gardener,  after 
examining  them  attentively  by  the  light. 

"  Perhaps  they  have  some  papers  about  them  that  will 
reveal  their  identity,"  said  Louis's  father ;  "  we  ought  to 
let  their  families  know  they  are  here  and  wounded." 

The  gardener  rummaged  in  their  pockets,  and  drew 
forth  some  papers,  which  he  handed  James's  papa  ;  then 
two  sharp,  pointed  knives  and  a  big  bunch  of  keys. 

"Ah!  ah!  This  tells  what  these  men  are,"  he 
exclaimed  ,  "  they  came  to  rob  and  perhaps  kill !  " 

"  I  begin  to  understand  it  all  now,"  said  William's 
papa ;  "  Cadichon's  presence  and  his  extraordinary  bray- 
ings  explain  matters ;  these  men  came  here  to  rob ; 
Cadichon  instinctively  divined  their  intentions,  attacked 
them,  kicked  them  on  the  head,  and  then  began  braying 
to  arouse  us." 

"  That  is  just  it,  the  very  thing,"  said  James's  papa  ; 
"  this  brave  Cadichon  can  boast  of  having  rendered  us  a 
great  service  ;  come,  Cadichon,  you  are  restored  to  favor 
this  time." 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF    A   DONKEY.  225 

I  was  happy  once  more,  as  I  promenaded  up  and  down 
before  the  green-house,  whilst  Finot  and  Passe  Partout 
received  the  necessary  attentions.  They  had  not  yet 
recovered  consciousness,  when  Doctor  Tudoux,  who  was 
not  long  in  making  his  appearance,  reached  the  spot. 
He  examined  their  wounds. 

"  Here  are  two  well-directed  blows,"  said  he  ;  "I  see 
distinctly  the  mark  of  a  small  horse-shoe,  or  I  might  say 
a  donkey's — and,"  added  he,  perceiving  me,  "  it  is  prob- 
ably a  new  piece  of  mischief  on  the  part  of  this  animal, 
which  seems  as  interested  in  our  actions  as  if  he  under- 
stood them." 

"  Not  a  piece  of  mischief,  but  an  act  of  fidelity  and 
intelligence,"  answered  William's  papa ;  "  these  men  are 
robbers,  as  you  see  by  the  knives  and  papers  found  on 
them." 

And  he  began  to  read  : 

"  No.  1.  Castle  Herp.  Many  people ;  not  easily  rob- 
bed— kitchen  garden  easy — vegetables  and  fruits,  wall  a 
little  high. 

"  No.  2.  Presbytery.  Old  priest ;  no  arms — woman 
servant,  old  and  deaf— Good  chance  to  rob  during  Mass. 

"No.  3.  Sourval  Castle.  Master  absent — wife  alone  on 
ground  floor,  servant  in  the  second  story,  fine  silver, 
easily  robbed.  Kill  if  they  give  an  alarm. 

"  No.  4.  Chanday  Castle.  Fierce  watch  dogs  to  be 
poisoned — no  one  on  the  ground  floor — plate,  gallery  of 
rich  curiosities  and  jewels  to  rob.  Kill  if  anybody 


226         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  You  see,"  continued  he,  these  men  are  burglars  who 
came  to  rifle  our  garden  in  default  of  something  better. 
Whilst  you  give  them  surgical  attention,  I  will  send  to 
the  town  for  the  chief  of  the  police." 

Drawing  from  his  pocket  a  case  of  surgical  instru- 
ments, Doctor  Tudoux  took  a  lancet  and  bled  the  two 
robbers,  who  soon  opened  their  eyes.  They  were  greatly 
frightened  at  finding  themselves  in  the  castle  and  sur- 
rounded by  people.  When  entirely  restored  to  conscious- 
ness, they  wished  to  speak. 

"  Silence  knaves,"  said  Doctor  Tudoux  slowly  and 
calmly.  "  Silence,  there  is  no  necessity  for  your  telling  us 
who  you  are  or  what  brought  you  here." 

Finot  put  his  hand  in  his  vest ;  the  papers  were  not 
there,  he  sought  his  knife,  it  was  also  gone.  He  looked 
at  Passe  Partout  with  a  serious  ah*  and  said  in  a  low 
voice : 

"  I  told  you  in  the  woods  I  heard  a  noise." 

"  Hush,"  answered  Passe  Partout  in  the  same  tone, 
"  they  will  understand.  We  must  deny  everything." 

"  But  the  papers,  they  have  them." 

"  We  must  say  we  found  them." 

"And  the  knives?" 

"  We  found  them  also,  we  must  make  a  bold  stand." 

"  Do  you  know  who  it  was  gave  you  that  blow  on  the 
head  which  stretched  you  senseless  ?  " 

"  My  faith !  I  do  not  know,  I  had  not  time  to  see  or 
hear.  I  found  myself  on  the  ground  and  struck  in  a 
trice.* 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         227 

"And  I  the  same.  "We  must  find  out  however,  if  they 
saw  us  climb  the  wall." 

"  We  will  indeed  find  out,  those  who  attacked  us,  of 
course,  will  tell  how  and  why." 

"  That  is  true.  Till  then  we  must  deny  everything. 
Just  now,  let  us  agree  upon  the  details  of  our  account, 
so  as  not  to  contradict  each  other.  First,  were  we  jour- 
neying together  ?  Where  did  we  find  the—" 

"  Separate  these  two  men,"  said  Louis's  father,  "  they 
are  agreeing  upon  the  tale  they  are  to  tell." 

Two  men  seized  Finot,  and  two,  Passe  Partout,  bound 
them  hand  and  foot,  in  spite  of  their  resistance,  and  car- 
ried Passe  Partout  into  another  room. 

The  night  was  far  advanced,  all  were  impatiently 
awaiting  the  chief  of  the  police.  About  daybreak  he 
arrived,  and  accompanied  by  four  policeman,  having  been 
told  there  was  question  of  arresting  two  robbers.  My 
little  masters'  fathers  recounted  all  that  had  happened, 
and  produced  the  knives  and  papers  found  in  the  men's 
pockets. 

"  This  sort  of  a  knife,"  said  the  officer,  "  indicates  dan- 
gerous burglars,  who  murder  to  further  their  purposes. 
Moreover,  it  is  easy  to  learn  from  these  papers,  that  they 
had  planned  several  robberies  in  the  neighborhood.  I 
would  not  be  at  all  surprised  if  these  two  men  were  not 
Finot  and  Passe  Partout,  very  hardened  brigands  escaped 
from  the  galleys,  and  now  the  object  of  official  pursuit 
in  several  of  the  departments,  where  they  have  commited 
numberless  and  audacious  thefts.  I  am  going  to  exam- 


228         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKKY. 

ine  them  separately,  you  may  assist  at  the  examination 
if  you  wish." 

Saying  this,  he  entered  the  room  where  Finot  lay. 
Looking  at  him  an  instant,  he  said  : 

"  Good  morning,  Finot !  so  you  are  taken  at  last." 

Finot  trembled  and  reddened,  but  said  nothing. 

"Ah  !  Finot,  so  we  have  lost  our  tongue  ?  Neverthe- 
less, it  was  voluble  enough  at  the  last  trial." 

"  To  whom  were  you  speaking,  sir,"  said  Finot  look- 
ing all  around  him,  "  there  is  no  one  here  but  myself." 

"  I  know  that  very  well,  it  is  to  yourself  I  am  speaking." 

"  I  do  not  know,  sir,  why  you  address  me  thus,  I  am 
not  acquainted  with  you." 

"  Yes,  but  I  am  acquainted  with  you,  you  are  Finot, 
an  escaped  criminal,  condemned  to  the  galleys  for  rob- 
bery and  assaults." 

"  You  are  mistaken,  sir,  I  am  not  the  person  you  pre- 
tend to  know  so  well." 

"  Then  who  are  you,  whence  do  you  come,  and  where 
•were  you  going  ?  " 

I  am  a  dealer  in  sheep  and  was  on  my  way  to  a  fair  at 
Moulins,  to  buy  lambs." 

"  Indeed !  and  your  companion,  is  he  also  a  dealer  in 
sheep  and  lambs  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  know,  we  had  met  but  a  few  moments  before 
we  were  attacked  and  overcome  by  a  band  of  robbers." 

"And  what  about  the  papers  in  your  pockets  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  even  know  what  they  contain,  we  found 
them  not  far  from  here,  and  had  not  time  to  examine 
them. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         229 

"And  the  knives?" 

"  Tiie  knives  were  with  the  papers." 

Really,  you  were  lucky,  to  find  and  pick  up  so  much 
without  being  able  to  see,  the  night  was  very  dark. 

"It  was  mere  chance.  My  comrade  stepped  upon 
something  that  felt  strange,  we  both  stooped  down,  and 
feeling  around,  found  these  papers  and  knives  which  we 
divided." 

"  It  is  very  unfortunate  they  were  divided,  for  this 
circumstance  furnishes  evidence  sufficient  to  thrust  each 
of  you  in  prison." 

"  You  have  no  right  to  put  us  in  prison,  we  are  honest 
men." 

"  That  is  just  what  we  are  to  find  out,  and  before  very 
long.  Good-day,  Finot.  Do  not  disturb  yourself,  added 
he,  seeing  that  Finot  attempted  to  rise  from  the  bench. 
"  Men,  give  this  man  every  attention,  and  keep  him 
under  your  eye,  for  he  has  already  escaped  us  more  than 
once." 

The  officer  retired,  leaving  Finot  anxious  and  de- 
jected. 

"  If  Passe  Partout  should  only  give  the  same  account 
as  myself,"  said  Finot,  "  but  it  is  mere  chance  that  he 
does." 

Seeing  the  officer  enter,  Passe  Partout  felt  that  all 
was  lost ;  however,  he  tried  to  conceal  his  anxiety  and 
appear  at  ease,  whilst  the  policeman  looked  at  him 
attentively. 

20 


230  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 

"  How  do  you  happen  to  be  here  wounded  and  tied  ?  " 
said  the  officer. 

"  I  know  nothing  about  it,"  answered  Passe  Partout. 
"  You  certainly  know  who  you  are,  where  you  were 
going,  by  whom  you  were  wounded." 

"  I  know  very  well  who  I  am,  and  where  I  was  going, 
but  I  do  not  know  who  brutally  attacked  me." 

"  Well  then,  we  will  proceed  in  order — who  are 
you?" 

"  Is  that  your  business  ?  You  have  no  right  to  ask 
travelers  who  they  are." 

"  I  have  so  good  a  right,  that  I  put  thumb-screws  on 
those  who  refuse  to  answer,  and  take  them  to  prison." 

I  will  begin  again  :  "  who  are  you  ? " 

"  I  am  a  cider  merchant." 

"  Your  name  if  you  please." 

"  Robert  Partout." 

"  Where  were  you  going  ?  " 

"  Just  wherever  I  could  by  cider." 

"  You  were  not  alone,  you  had  a  companion  ? n 

"  Yes,  my  partner  in  business,  we  attend  to  our  affairs 
together." 

"  And  these  papers  in  your  pockets,  do  you  know  any- 
thing about  them  ?  " 

"  Ah !  "  said  Passe  Partout  mentally,  he  has  read 
these  papers,  and  thinks  he  can  catch  rue  there,  but  I 
will  outwit  him." 

And  then  he  added  aloud : 

"  Do  I  know  anything   about  them  ?    I  certainly  do. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         231 

You  mean  the  papers  the  brigands  lost,  and  which  I 
intended  taking  to  the  city  police." 

"  How  did  you  get  these  papers  ? " 

"  We  found  them  on  the  way,  and  having  read  them, 
were  so  anxious  to  deliver  them  to  the  authorities,  that 
we  continued  our  journey  at  night." 

"  And  the  knives  that  were  found  on  you  ?  " 

"  The  knives?  we  brought  them  to  defend  ourselves, 
for  we  had  been  told  there  were  robbers  in  this  part  of 
the  country." 

"How  and  by  whom  were  you  and  your  companion 
wounded  ? " 

"  By  robbers  who  came  upon  us  without  our  seeing 
them." 

"  Ah !  Finot's  account  is  different  from  yours." 

"  Finot  is  so  frightened  that  he  has  lost  his  memory, 
you  must  not  credit  what  he  says." 

"  I  do  not  believe  what  he  says,  any  more  than  I 
believe  what  you  yourself  tell  me,  friend  Passe  Partout, 
for  I  am  well  acquainted  with  you,  you  have  betrayed 
yourself. " 

Passe  Partout  immediately  perceived  what  a  fool  he 
had  been  in  recognizing  his  companion  as  Finot.  It  was 
a  nickname  given  him  at  the  prison  in  dirision  of  his 
lack  of  cunning. 

As  to  Passe  Partout,  his  real  name  was  Partout.  One 
day  as  they  were  hurrying  to  the  refectory,  Finot  ex- 
claimed, "  Passe  Partout,"  and  the  name  became  a  fix- 
ture. He  could  deny  matters  no  longer,  still  he  would 
not  confess ;  but  shrugging  his  shoulders  said : 


232         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  Because  I  am  acquainted  with  Finot  ?  It  was  no 
harm  to  suppose  you  spoke  of  my  companion.  I  thought 
you  called  him  Finot  in  derision." 

"  Well,  that  is  good !  twist  that  as  you  will ;  it  is  none 
the  less  true,  however,  that  you  and  your  companion 
were  journeying  together  buying  cider,  that  you  found 
these  papers  on  the  road,  read  them,  and  were  carrying 
them  to  the  town  to  put  them  in  the  hands  of  the  authori- 
ties— that  you  bought  the  knives  to  defend  yourselves 
against  robbers,  that  you  were  attacked  and  wounded  by 
these  same  robbers, — is  not  that  the  story  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes  ;  that  is,  indeed,  my  account." 

"  Say,  rather,  your  tale  ;  for  your  companion  has  told 
quite  another  story." 

"  What  did  he  say  ? "  anxiously  inquired  Passe 
Partout. 

"  It  is  not  necessary  for  you  to  know  just  at  present, 
but  when  you  are  both  in  the  convict  prison  he  will  tell 
you." 

And  the  officer  went  out  of  the  room,  leaving  Passe 
Partout  in  a  state  of  rage  and  anxiety  easily  imagined. 

"  Do  you  think,  doctor,  that  these  men  are  able  to 
walk  to  the  town  ? "  inquired  the  officer  of  Doctor 
Tudoux. 

"  I  think  they  can  get  there,  if  you  do  not  urge  them 
on  too  fast,"  responded  Doctor  Tudoux,  slowly.  "  More- 
over, should  they  even  give  out  on  the  way,  you  could 
easily  send  for  a  carriage  and  put  them  in  it ;  but  they 
are  badly  kicked  on  the  head,  and  might  die  in  three  or 
four  days." 


20» 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         235 

The  officer  was  perplexed,  for  he  was  a  kind  man,  and, 
although  the  prisoners  deserved  no  pity,  he  did  not  wish 
to  make  them  suffer  unnecessarily.  Mr.  de  Ponchat, 
father  of  William  and  Henry,  seeing  his  embarrassment, 
proposed  to  harness  up  one  of  our  conveyances.  His 
offer  was  gratefully  accepted,  and,  when  the  vehicle  was 
brought  to  the  door,  Finot  and  Passe  Partout  were  put 
into  it,  each  between  two  guards.  Moreover,  their  feet 
were  tied  to  prevent  their  leaping  out  and  escaping,  and 
the  officer  on  horseback  rode  beside  the  wagon,  never 
losing  sight  of  his  prisoners.  They  soon  disappeared, 
and  I  remained  alone  before  the  house,  eating  grass  and 
impatiently  awaiting  my  little  masters,  especially  my 
dear  James,  whom  I  longed  to  see.  1  knew  that  the 
service  I  had  just  rendered  would  secure  their  pardon 
for  all  past  misdeeds. 

When,  at  last,  it  was  a  reasonable  hour  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  everyone  about  the  castle,  had  arisen,  dressed 
and  breakfasted,  a  group  rushed  down  the  front  steps. 
It  was  the  children.  All  ran  to  me  and  caressed  me  to 
my  heart's  content,  but  the  caresses  of  none  were  so 
affectionate  or  so  dear  to  me  as  those  of  little  James. 

"  My  good  Cadichon,"  said  he,  "  you  have  come  back ! 
I  was  so  sorry  when  you  went  away  1  You  see  my  dear 
Cadichon,  that  we  still  love  you  !  " 

"  He  has  really  become  good,"  said  Maud. 

"And  he  has  lost  that  insolent  air  he  used  to  have," 
said  Beatrice. 

"And  he  bites  his  comrade  and  the  watch  dogs,  no 
longer,"  said  Elizabeth. 


236         THE  ADVENTURE3  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"And  he  lets  himself  be  saddled  and  bridled  without 
trouble,"  said  Louis. 

Helen — "  And  he  doesn't  eat  the  bouquets,  I  hold  in 
my  hand." 

Ruth — "And  he  doesn't  kick  any  more  when  we 
mount  him  " 

William — "And  he  doesn't  run  after  my  pony  any 
more  to  bite  his  tail." 

James — "And  he  has  saved  all  our  fruits  and  vegeta- 
bles by  causing  the  arrest  of  these  robbers," 

Henry — "And  he  has  broken  their  hands  with  his 
feet." 

Elizabeth — "  But  how  could  he  cause  the  arrest  of  the 
robbers  ?  " 

William — "  We  do  not  know  all  the  particulars,  but 
the  household  was  aroused  by  his  brayings.  Papa,  my 
uncles  and  some  servants  went  out,  and  saw  Cadichon 
galloping  up  and  down  from  the  house  to  the  garden ; 
following  him  with  lanterns  till  he  came  to  the  end  of 
the  wall  around  the  kitchen  garden,  they  there  found 
these  two  men,  unconscious  whom  they  discovered  to  be 
robbers." 

James — "  How  could  they  tell  these  men  were  robbers  ? 
do  not  robbers  look  and  dress  like  us  ?  " 

Elizabeth — "  Indeed  they  are  not  like  us !  I  have  seen 
a  band  of  robbers,  they  wore  pointed  hats,  and  chestnut 
colored  mantles  and  they  had  such  wicked  countenances 
and  enormous  mustaches." 

"  Oh  1  where  did  you  see  them  and  when  ? "  exclaimed 
all  the  children  at  once. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          237 

Elizabeth — "  I  saw  them,  last  winter,  at  the  Franconia 
theatre." 

Henry— "Ah !  ah !  ah !  What  nonsense !  I  thought 
you  meant  real  robbers,  that  you  had  met  in  some  of 
your  travels,  and  I  was  astonished  at  never  having  heard 
my  uncle  and  aunt  mention  it." 

"Certainly,  sir,  they  were  real  robbers,"  answered 
Elizabeth  quite  piqued, "  the  soldiers  fought  against  them, 
and  killed  some  and  took  some  prisoners.  There  was 
nothing  funny  about  it ;  I  was  much  frightened  and  some 
of  the  poor  soldiers  were  wounded." 

William — "Ah  !  ah !  ah !  how  silly  you  are !  you  saw 
what  we  call  a  drama,  which  is  played  by  paid  men,  who 
repeat  it  every  night." 

Elizabeth — "  How  can  they  repeat  it  when  they  are 
killed?" 

William — "  They  only  pretend  to  be  killed  or  wounded, 
they  are  as  sound  as  you  or  I." 

Elizabeth — "  How  then  did  papa  and  my  uncles  know 
these  men  were  robbers  ?  " 

William — "  Because  knives  to  kill  people  were  found 
in  their  pockets,  and — " 

"  But  those  knives  to  kill  people,  how  are  they  made  ?  " 
interrupted  James. 

William — "  Like — like,  all  other  knives." 

James — "  Then  how  could  you  tell  that  they  were  to 
kill  people  ?  Perhaps  they  were  to  cut  their  bread  ?  " 

William — "  You  worry  me  James,  you  always  want  to 
understand  everything,  and  you  interrupted  me,  just  as 


238         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

I  was  going  to  tell  you,  that  papers  were  found  on  them, 
revealing  their  plans ;  it  was  all  written  down  what  they 
were  to  do,  steal  our  vegetables,  and  kill  the  priest  and 
many  other  people." 

James — "And  why  were  they  not  going  to  kill  us  ?  " 

Elizabeth — "  Because  they  know  papa  and  my  uncles 
are  very  brave,  that  they  have  pistols  and  guns,  and  also 
that  we  all  would  have  helped." 

Henry — "  You  would  be  famous  assistance,  indeed,  if 
any  one  were  to  attack  us." 

Elizabeth — "I  would  be  as  brave  as  you,  sir,  and  I 
would  know  very  well  how  to  pull  the  robbers  by  the 
legs  to  prevent  their  killing  papa." 

Maud — "Come,  come;  don't  quarrel, but  let  William 
tell  us  what  he  heard." 

Elizabeth — "  It  is  not  necessary  for  William  to  tell  us 
what  we  already  know." 

William — "Then  why  ask  me  how  papa  discovered  that 
these  men  were  robbers  3  " 

"  Masters  William  and  Henry,  master  Alfred  wants 
you,"  said  the  gardener,  who  had  just  brought  the  vege- 
tables for  the  kitchen. 

"  Where  is  he  ? "  asked  William  and  Henry. 

"  In  the  garden,"  answered  the  gardener ;  "  he  dares 
not  come  to  the  house,  for  fear  of  meeting  Cadiehon." 

sighed,  as  I  thought  that  poor  Alfred  feared  me  not 
without  reason  since  the  sad  day  I  had  treated  him  so 
shamefully,  almost  drowning  him  in  a  filthy  ditch,  after 
scratching  him  with  briers  and  thorns,  and  nibbling  the 
pony's  tail  until  he  wras  pitched  over  its  head. 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         239 

"  I  ought  to  make  reparation,"  said  I;  "what  can  I 
do,  what  service  can  I  render  him  to  convince  him  that 
he  has  no  longer  any  reason  to  fear  me  ? " 


XXV. 

THE    REPARATION. 

WHILST  I  vainly  pondered  a  means  of  convincing 
Alfred  of  my  repentance,  the  children  approached  the 
spot  where  I  browsed  and  meditated  at  the  same  time.- 
I  saw  that  Alfred  kept  at  a  distance  and  regarded  me 
with  mistrust. 

William — "  It  is  going  to  be  warm  to-day,  and  I  don't 
think  it  will  be  pleasant  to  go  far.  It  would  be  better 
for  us  to  remain  in  the  shady  park." 

Alfred — "  William  is  right,  I  have  never  regained  my 
strength  since  that  spell  of  sickness  which  nearly 
brought  me  to  the  grave,  and  consequently  I  am  very 
easily  fatigued." 

Henry — "  You  must  owe  Cadichon  a  grudge,  since  he 
was  the  cause  of  your  illness." 

Alfred — "  1  do  not  believe  he  did  it  purposely,  he  was 
probably  frightened  at  something  on  the  road,  and  jumped 
aside,  accidentally  pitching  me  into  that  frightful  ditch, 
So  I  do  not  hate  him,  but — " 

William— "But  what?" 


240  THE    ADVENTURES    OF    A    DONKEY. 

"  But,"  said  Alfred,  blushing  slightly,  "  I  would  rather 
not  get  on  him  again." 

The  poor  boy's  generosity  touched  me,  and  increased 
my  regret  at  having  treated  him  so  badly. 

Maud  and  Beatrice  now  proposed  to  do  some  cooking. 
The  children  had  built  in  their  garden  an  oven,  which 
they  heated  with  dry  wood,  gathering  it  themselves,  and 
this  proposition  was  joyfully  received. 

They  ran  to  get  kitchen  aprons  and  returned  to  their 
garden  prepared  for  work.  Alfred  and  William  brought 
the  wood  ;  breaking  each  branch  in  two,  they  filled  their 
oven. 

Before  kindling  the  fire,  they  held  a  consultation  as  to 
what  they  should  have  for  breakfast. 

"I  wish  an  omelet,"  said  Maud. 

Beatrice — "  I,  coffee  and  whipped  cream." 

Elizabeth—"  I,  cutlets." 

"William — "  I,  cold  veal  with  vinegar  sauce." 

Henry—"  I,  potato  salad." 

James — "  I,  strawberries  and  cream." 

Louis^ — "  I,  slices  of  bread  and  butter." 

Helen — "  I,  grated  sugar." 

Euth— "  And  I,  cherries." 

Alfred — "I  will  cut  the  bread,  set  the  table,  prepare 
the  wine  and  water,  and  help  generally." 

And  each  one  went  to  the  kitchen  to  get  materials  for 
the  desired  dish.  Maud  brought  eggs,  butter,  salt,  pep- 
per, a  fork  and  a  frying  pan. 

"  I  must  have  some  fire  to  melt  mv  butter  and  cook 


Alfred  and  William  brought  the  wood.— (race  219.) 


(241) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         243 

m7  eggs>"  said  she.  "Alfred,  Alfred,  some  fire,  if  you 
please." 

"Where  must  I  kindle  it?" 

"  Near  the  oven,  be  quick,  I  am  beating  my  eggs." 

"Alfred,  Alfred,"  called  out  Beatrice,  "run  to  the 
kitchen  and  get  the  coffee  for  the  whipped  cream,  I  for- 
got it,  be  quick." 

"  I  must  kindle  the  fire  for  Maud." 

"  You  can  do  that  afterwards,  run  quick  and  get  my 
coffee,  now  it  will  not  take  you  long,  and  I  am  in  a 
hurry." 

Alfred  started  off  in  a  run. 

"  Alfred,  Alfred,"  said  Elizabeth,  "  I  must  have  some 
embers  and  a  gridiron  for  my  cutlets;  I  have  cut  them 
nicely." 

Alfred,  who  ran  with  the  coffee,  set  out  again  for  the 
gridiron. 

"  1  must  have  oil  for  my  vinegar  sauce,"  said  William. 

"  And  I,  vinegar  for  my  salad,"  said  Henry,  "  quick, 
Alfred  with  the  oil  and  vinegar." 

Alfred  who  had  just  brought  the  gridiron,  returned 
for  the  vinegar  and  oil. 

"  Oh !  my  fire ! "  said  Maud,  "  is  that  how  you  light 
it,  Alfred  ?  My  eggs  are  beaten,  you  are  going  to  make 
me  lose  my  omelet." 

"  My  commissions  have  been  so  numerous,  I  have  not 
had  time  to  light  the  fire." 

"  And  the  coals  ?  "  cried  Elizabeth,  "  where  are  you, 
Alfred  ?  you  have  forgotten  my  coals  1 " 


244          THE  ADVENTUBES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  No,  Elizabeth,  I  have  not  been  able  to  get  them,  I 
have  been  kept  running." 

"  Hurry,  Alfred,  or  I  shall  not  have  time  to  broil  my 
cutlets,"  was  the  reply. 

"  And  I  must  have  a  knife  to  cut  my  slices  of  bread," 
said  Louis,  "  bring  a  knife,  quick,  Alfred." 

"  I  have  no  sugar  for  my  strawberries,  grate  the  sugar, 
Helen,  hurry,"  said  James. 

"I  have  grated  till  I  am  tired,"  she  answered,  "  I  am 
going  to  rest  a  little — I  am  so  thirsty !  " 

"  Eat  some  cherries,"  said  Ruth,  "  I  am  thirsty,  too." 

"And  so  am  I,"  chimed  in  James,  "I  am  going  to 
taste  a  few  to  refresh  myself.  " 

"  I  shall  do  the  same,"  added  Louis,  "  it  is  very 
fatiguing  to  cut  bread." 

And  the  four  little  ones  surrounded  the  basket  of 
cherries. 

"  Let  us  sit  down,"  said  Ruth,  "  it  will  be  more  con- 
venient whilst  refreshing  ourselves." 

They  refreshed  themselves  so  well  that  they  ate  every 
cherry.  When  the  basket  was  empty  they  looked 
anxiously  at  one  another. 

«  They  are  all  gone,"  said  Ruth. 

"  We  are  going  to  get  scolded,"  answered  Helen. 

"  Oh !  what  shall  we  do  ?  "  inquired  Louis,  anxiously. 

"  Ask  Cadichon  to  come  to  our  aid,"  said  James. 

"  What  do  you  want  Cadichon  to  do  ?  "  replied  Louis, 
"  he  cannot  make  cherries  appear  in  the  basket  when  we 
have  eaten  them  all !  " 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         245 

"  He  might  do  what  amounts  to  the  same,"  said  James. 
"  Cadichon,  my  good  Cadichon,  come  to  our  aid,  see  this 
empty  basket  and  try  to  fill  it." 

I  was  very  near  the  four  little  gourmands. 

James  put  the  empty  basket  under  my  nose  to  help 
me  understand  what  he  wanted.  I  smelt  it  and  started 
off  in  a  trot ;  going  to  the  kitchen  where  I  had  seen  some 
one  take  a  basket  of  cherries,  I  seized  the  basket  between 
my  teeth,  trotted  off  with  it  and  deposited  it  in  the 
midst  of  the  children,  still  seated  around  the  stones  and 
stems  in  their  plates. 

A  cry  of  joy  greeted  my  return.  The  others  turned 
around  at  this  and  inquired  the  meaning  of  it. 

u  It  is  Cadichon  !  Cadichon !  "  exclaimed  James. 

"  Dont  tell,"  said  Ruth,  they  will  know  then  that  we 
ate  up  the  other  cherries." 

"Well,  suppose  they  do  know  it,"  answered  James, 
"  I  wish  them  also  to  know  how  kind  and  intelligent 
Cadichon  is." 

And  running  to  them,  he  told  how  I  had  repaired 
their  greediness.  Instead  of  scolding  the  four  little 
ones,  they  praised  James's  frankness  and  bestowed  the 
highest  eulogiums  upon  my  intelligence. 

Meanwhile  Alfred  had  kindled  Maud's  fire,  and 
brought  Elizabeth's  coals ;  Maud  cooked  her  omelet, 
Beatrice  finished  her  cream,  Elizabeth  her  cutlets,  Wil- 
liam cut  his  veal  in  slices  preparatory  to  making  the 
seasouing,  Henry  stirred  and  stirred  his  potato  salad ; 
James  made  a  niush  of  strawberries  and  cream,  Louis 


246 


THE   ADVENTURES   OP   A   DONKEY. 


cut  a  pile  of  buttered  bread,  Helen  grated  sugar  until 
the  sugar  bowl  was  empty,  Kuth  picked  over  the  basket 
of  cherries,  whilst  Alfred  breathless  and  in  a  perspiration, 
Bet  the  table,  ran  for  fresh  water  to  cool  the  wine,  and 
vessels  of  radishes,  cucumbers,  sardines  and  olives  to 
ornament  the  table.  He  had  forgotten  the  salt,  he 


had  not  thought  of  the  covers,  glasses  were  wanting, 
May  bugs  and  gnats  had  fallen  into  the  goblets  and  on 
plates.  When,  at  last,  everything  was  ready  and  on  the 
table,  Maud,  clapping  her  hands  to  her  forehead, 
exclaimed : 
"  Ah  1  We  have  forgotten  one  thing,  to  ask  our 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          247 

mammas'  permission  to  breakfast  outdoors  on  a  meal  of 
our  own  preparation." 

"  Let  us  go  at  once,"  was  the  unanimous  answer ; 
"  Alfred  will  keep  guard  over  the  breakfast." 

And,  darting  towards  the  house,  they  rushed  into  the 
parlor,  where  their  papas  and  mammas  were  assembled. 

The  sudden  appearance  of  all  these  children,  red, 
breathless,  arrayed  in  kitchen  aprons  like  scullions,  quite 
surprised  their  parents. 

Each  one  ran  to  his  or  her  mamma,  and  asked  the 
required  permission  with  such  volubility  that,  at  first,  it 
was  impossible  to  know  what  they  meant.  After  a  few 
questions  and  explanations,  it  was  granted,  and  they 
hastened  back  to  Alfred  and  their  breakfast.  But  Alfred 
had  disappeared. 

«  Alfred  !   Alfred  ! "  they  cried. 

"  Here  I  am,  here  I  am,"  answered  a  voice  apparently 
from  the  skies. 

Looking  up,  they  perceived  Alfred,  perched  in  an  oak 
tree.  He  began  to  descend  slowly  and  cautiously. 

"  What  made  you  climb  up  there? "  said  William  and 
Henry ;  "  what  a  strange  idea  that  was ! " 

Alfred  made  no  reply,  but  continued  to  get  down,  and 
when  he  had  reached  the  ground  the  children  were  sur- 
prised to  see  him  pale  and  trembling. 

"  Why  did  you  climb  that  tree,  Alfred  ?  what  has  hap- 
pened to  you  ? "  said  Beatrice. 

"  If  it  had  not  been  for  Cadichon,  you  would  not  have 
found  me  or  your  breakfast  either ;  I  climbed  the  oak 
tree  to  save  my  life." 


21-8  THE    ADVENTURES   OF    A    DONKEY. 

"  Do  tell  us  what  has  happened  ? "  said  William ; 
"how  could  Cadichon  save  your  life  and  our  breakfast?  " 

"  Let  us  take  our  places  at  the  table  and  listen  whilst 
we  eat,  I  am  dying  of  hunger,"  said  Maud. 

They  seated  themselves  on  the  grass,  around  the  table- 
cloth ;  Maud  helped  to  her  omelet,  which  was  excellent; 
and  Elizabeth,  in  turn,  to  her  cutlets,  which  were  very 
nice,  but  cooked  a  little  too  much.  The  rest  of  the 
breakfast  followed,  everything  turning  out  quite  satis- 
factorily. Whilst  they  ate,  Alfred  recounted  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  You  had  scarcely  started  ere  the  two  big  farm  dogs, 
attracted  by  the  smell  of  food,  came  running  to  the  spot. 
I  seized  a  stick,  and,  brandishing  it  before  them,  tried  to 
drive  them  off,  but  in  vain ;  they  could  not  resist  the 
sight  of  the  cutlets,  the  omelet,  the  bread,  the  butter,  the 
cream  ;  instead  of  flying  from  my  stick,  which  they  little 
feared,  they  rushed  at  me ;  I  threw  the  stick  at  the  head 
of  the  biggest,  and  it  jumped  on  my  back —  " 

"  How  could  it  jump  on  your  back  ? "  said  Henry ; 
"  he  went  behind  you,  did  he  ?  " 

"No,"  said  Alfred,  blushing;  "but,  having  thrown 
my  stick  at  him,  1  had  no  means  of  defense,  and  you 
can  certainly  understand  the  folly  of  my  letting  myself 
be  devoured  by  hungry  dogs." 

"  Oli !  I  understand  now,"  replied  Henry  in  a  tone  of 
raillery,  "  it  was  you  who  turned  upon  your  heel  to 
escape." 

»*  I  w^s  running  to  ijnd  you  and  the  beasts  were  run- 


The  other  dog  leaped  at  me.-  (Peso  251.) 


CIS) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OP  A  DONKEY.         251 

ning  after  me,  when  Cadichon  came  to  my  assistance. 
Seizing  the  biggest  dog  by  the  skin  of  the  back,  he  shook 
him  well,  whilst  I  sought  safety  by  climbing  a  tree. 
The  other  dog  leaped  at  me,  caught  me  by  my  clothes, 
and  would  have  torn  me  to  pieces,  had  not  Cadichon 
rescued  me  from  this  animal  also.  Giving  a  good  final 
bite  to  the  first  dog,  and  throwing  him  up  in  the  air 
whence  he  fell  a  few  steps  farther  off,  bruised  and  bleed- 
ing, Cadichon  now  seized  the  tail  of  the  dog  that  held 
me,  which  act  freed  me  at  once,  for,  of  course,  my  assail- 
ant immediately  relinquished  his  hold.  After  pulling 
him  a  little  distance,  Cadichon  turned  around  with 
incredible  agility,  and  gave  him  a  kick  on  the  jaw  bone  that 
must  have  broken  several  teeth.  The  two  dogs  went  off 
yelping,  and  I  was  about  to  decend  when  you  came." 

All  admired  my  courage  and  presence  of  mind,  and 
came  up  to  me,  loading  me  with  caresses  and  praises. 

"  You  see  now  for  yourselves,"  said  James,  with  a 
triumphant  air  and  sparkling  eyes,  "  that  my  friend  Cadi- 
chon has  become  excellent,  I  don't  know  whether  you 
care  for  him  or  not,  but  I  do  more  than  ever.  We  will 
always  be  the  best  of  friends,  wont  we  Cadichon  ?  " 

I  did  my  best  to  respond  with  a  joyful  bray ;  the 
children  laughed  and  resuming  their  seats  at  the  table, 
continued  their  repast,  Beatrice  now  served  her  cream. 

"  That's  good  cream !  "  said  James. 

"  I  wish  some  more,"  said  Louis. 

"And  I,  and  I,"  cried  Helen  and  Kuth,  Beatrice  was 
much  pleased  with  her  success.  Indeed,  every  dish  had 


252          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

given  such  satisfaction,  that  the  table  was  entirely  cleared. 
Poor  James,  however,  had  a  slight  humiliation.  His 
charge  was  the  strawberries  and  cream.  He  had  sugared 
his  cream  and  poured  it  over  the  stemmed  strawberries, 
making  a  very  nice  looking  dish.  Unfortunately  for  him, 
he  finished  before  the  others.  Seeing  there  was  plenty 
of  time,  he  concluded  to  improve  it  and  his  dish  together, 
by  mashing  the  berries  in  the  cream.  He  crushed  and 
he  crushed,  so  long  and  so  well,  that  the  result  was  a 
thick  pap,  quite  nice  to  the  taste,  but  very  uninviting  in 
appearance. 

Then  James's  turn  arrived  to  serve  the  strawber- 
ries. 

"Oh!  what  are  you  giving  me,"  exclaimed  Maud, 
"  what  is  it  ?  red  pap  ?  What  is  it  made  of? " 

"  It  is  not  red  pap,"  answered  James  somewhat  con- 
fused, "  it  is  strawberries  and  cream,  and  very  nice,  I 
assure  you,  Maud ;  taste  it,  and  you  will  see." 

"  Strawberries  ?  "  said  Beatrice,  "  where  are  the  straw- 
berries \  I  see  none.  This  stuff  looks  disgusting." 

"  Oh !  yes,  it  is  disgusting,"  echoed  all  the  rest. 

"  I  thought  they  would  be  nicer  crushed,"  said  poor 
little  James,  his  eyes  full  of  tears.  "  But  if  you  wish  it, 
I  will  go  quickly  and  pick  some  more  strawberries,  and 
get  some  cream  from  the  house." 

"  No,  no,  James,"  said  Elizabeth,  touched  at  his  gentle- 
ness, "  your  cream  is,  no  doubt,  very  nice.  Give  me 
some,  I  will  eat  it  with  great  pleasure.'* 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF    A   DONKEY.  253 

James's  face  brightened,  he  kissed  Elizabeth  and  helped 
her  most  bountifully. 

The  other  children,  softened  like  Elizabeth  by  James's 
mildness  and  good  will,  asked  for  some  of  his  dish,  and 
all,  after  tasting,  pronounced  it  excellent,  much  better 
indeed  than  if  the  berries  had  been  whole. 

Little  James,  who  had  been  anxiously  watching  their 
countenances  as  they  tasted  his  cream,  became  radiant 
when  he  saw  the  success  of  his  invention ;  he  partook  of 
it  himself,  and  although  not  much  remained  for  him, 
there  was  enought  to  make  him  regret  not  having  made 
more. 

Breakfast  over,  they  washed  the  dishes  in  a  large  tub, 
that  had  been  accidentally  left  out,  and  filled  during  the 
night  from  the  rainspout. 

This  was  not  the  least  amusing  part  of  the  business, 
and  it  was  still  in  progress  when  the  study  bell  sounded, 
and  their  parents  called  them  to  their  books.  They 
begged  a  quarter  of  an  hour's  grace,  to  finish  wiping 
the  dishes  and  putting  them  away.  It  was  granted,  and 
before  the  expiration  of  the  time,  everything  was  carried 
back  to  the  kitchen,  put  in  its  place,  the  children  at  their 
studies,  and  Alfred  having  said  good-bye,  was  about  to 
start  home. 

Before  leaving,  he  called  me  to  him,  and  seeing  that  I 
approached,  he  ran  to  me,  caressing  and  thanking  me  by 
his  words  and  pattings  for  the  service  I  had  rendered 
him.  I  received  this  expression  of  gratitude  with  pleas- 
ure. It  confirmed  me  in  the  opinion  that  Alfred  was 
22 


254          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

much  better  than  I  had  at  first  judged  him,  that  he  was 
neither  revengeful  nor  malicious,  and  also,  that  if  some- 
what cowardly  and  stupid,  it  was  not  his  fault. 

I  had  occasion  a  few  days  afterwards  to  render  him  a 
new  service. 


XXVIL 

THE     BOAT. 

James — "  What  a  pity  we  cannot  cook  a  breakfast 
every  day,  as  we  did  last  week,  it  was  so  amusing ! " 

Louis — "And  what  a  good  breakfast !  " 

Maud — "  The  best  thing  to  me  was  the  potato  salad  and 
veal  with  vinegar  sauce." 

Beatrice — "  I  know  why  very  well ;  it  is  because  your 
mamma  forbids  you  eating  such  things  constantly." 

"  Very  likely,"  said  Maud,  laughing,  "  what  we  seldom 
get  to  eat  always  appears  best,  especially  when  it  is  some- 
thing we  like  naturally." 

William — "  What  shall  we  do  to-day  for  amusement  ? " 

Elizabeth — "  Sure  enough,  it  is  Thursday,  we  have  holi- 
day until  dinner." 

Henry — "  If  we  could  get  a  mess  of  fish  from  the  big 
pond—" 

Maud — "What  a  splendid  idea!  we  will  have  a  dish 
of  fish  for  to-morrow,  Friday !  " 

Beatrice — "  How  will  we  fish  ?  have  we  fishing  lines  ? n 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         255 

William—"  We  have  hooks  enough  but  we  want  rods." 

Henry — "  Shall  we  send  one  of  the  servants  to  the 
village  to  buy  them  ? " 

William — "  They  are  not  sold  in  the  village,  we  would 
have  to  send  to  the  city  and  that  is  very  far." 

Maud — "Oh!  here  comes  Alfred,  perhaps  they  have 
some  lines  at  his  house ;  and  we  can  send  some  one  on 
the  pony  for  them." 

James — "  I  will  ride  over  on  Cadichon." 

Henry — "  You  cannot  go  so  far  alone." 

James — "  It  is  not  far,  only  half  a  league." 

"  What  is  it,  my  friends,  you  are  going  to  get  with 
Cadichon  ?  "  said  Alfred  as  he  came  up. 

William—"  Fishing  lines ;  have  you  any,  Alfred  ? " 

Alfred — "  No ;  and  there  is  no  necessity  for  going  so  far ; 
with  knives,  we  can  make  as  many  ourselves,  as  we 
want." 

Henry — "  To  be  sure!  why  did  we  not  think  of  it 
before." 

Alfred — "  Come  quick  to  the  woods  to  cut  them.  Have 
you  knives  ?  mine  is  in  my  pocket." 

William — "  I  have  an  excellent  one  that  Maud  brought 
me  from  London." 

Henry— "And  I  also  have  one  that  Beatrice  gave  me." 

James — "  I  have  one." 

Louis— "And  I." 

"  Come  along  then,"  said  Alfred,  "  whilst  we  cut  the 
rods,  you  may  strip  off  the  bark  and  little  twigs." 

"And  what  shall  we  do  in  the  meantime  ? "  asked  Maud, 
Beatrice  and  Elizabeth. 


256         THE  ADVEXxCRES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

"  Make  the  other  necessary  preparations,"  said  Wil- 
liam: "  get  the  bread,  the  worms,  the  hooks." 

And  they  all  dispersed,  each  one  to  his  or  her  post. 

I  then  went  very  quietly  towards  the  pond,  and  in 
something  over  half  an  hour,  the  children  arrived,  run- 
ning each  one  with  his  line,  and  bringing  the  hooks  and 
other  necessary  appurtenances. 

"  We  must  beat  the  water,  must  we  not,  to  bring  the 
fish  to  the  surface,"  said  Henry. 

William — "  Just  the  contrary,  we  must  keep  quiet  as 
possible,  for  if  we  frighten  the  fish,  they  will  all  go  down 
to  the  bottom  in  the  mud." 

Maud — "I  think  a  good  way  of  attracting  them, 
would  be  to  throw  some  crumbs  of  bread  in  the  water." 

Beatrice — "  Yes,  but  not  much  ;  if  we  feed  them  plen- 
tifully, they  will  not  not  bite  at  the  hooks." 

Elizabeth — "  Let  me  do  it,  you  prepare  the  hooks,  whilst 
I  throw  in  the  bread." 

Elizabeth  took  the  bread,  and  at  the  first  crumb  she 
threw,  half  a  dozen  fish  pounced  upon  it.  She  repeated 
the  process,  assisted  by  Louis,  James,  Helen  and  Ruth, 
until  the  fish  were  surfeited  and  would  eat  no  more. 

"  I  believe  we  have  given  them  too  much,"  said  Eliza- 
beth in  an  undertone  to  Louis  and  James. 

James — "  What  difference  does  that  make  ?  they  will 
eat  the  rest  this  evening  or  to-morrow." 

Elizabeth — "  But  they  won't  bite  at  the  bait  now, 
they  are  no  longer  hungry." 

James — "  Oh !  oh !  our  cousins  will  be  displeased." 


THE  A 1, VENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         257 

Elizabeth — 4<  Say  nothing  about  it,  they  arc  busy  with 
their  hooks;  perhaps  the  fish  will  bite  all  the  same." 

"The  lines  are  ready,"  said  William;  "each  of  you 
take  one  and  cast  it  in  the  water." 

They  did  so,  and  waited  a  few  minutes  in  breathless 
silence  ;  the  fish  would  not  bite. 

Alfred — "  This  is  not  a  good  place,  let  us  go  farther." 

Helen — "  I  believe  there  are  no  fish  here,  look  at  those 
bread  crumbs  not  eaten." 

Maud — "  Let  us  go  to  the  end  of  this  pond,  near  the 
boat." 

William — "  The  water  is  very  deep  there." 

Elizabeth—"  What  difference  does  that  make  ?  Are 
you  afraid  the  fish  will  be  drowned  ?  " 

William — "  Not  the  fish,  but  one  of  us  might  fall  in." 

Henry — "  How  would  we  fall  in  ?  we  are  not  going 
near  enough  to  the  edge  to  slip  or  roll  in." 

William — "  Yery  true,  but  for  all  that,  I  do  not  wish 
the  little  ones  to  go  there." 

James — "  Oh !  yes,  William,  do  let  me  go  with  you  ? 
we  will  keep  at  a  distance  from  the  water." 

William — "  No,  no,  stay  where  you  are ;  we  will  soon 
be  back,  for  I  don't  think  we  will  find  any  more  fish 
there  than  here.  Moreover,"  he  added,  lowering  his  voice, 
"  it  is  your  fault  we  have  caught  none,  you  gave  the  fish 
ten  times  too  much  bread,  I  saw  the  whole  thing ;  1  do 
not  wish  to  tell  Henry,  Alfred,  Maud  and  Beatrice,  but 
it  is  only  right  that  you  should  be  punished  for  your 
thoughtlessness." 


258         THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

James  insisted  no  more,  but  told  the  other  little  cul- 
prits what  William  had  said.  They  resigned  themselves 
to  remain  where  they  were,  and  continued  to  throw  their 
lines,  still  wishing  the  fish  would  bite,  and  still  meeting 
with  no  success. 

I  had  followed  William,  Henry  and  Alfred  to  the  end 
of  the  pond.  They  also  cast  their  liv  3S,  but  it  was  of  no 
use;  in  vain  did  they  move,  and  change  their  hooks,  the 
fish  would  not  bite. 

"  Friends,"  said  Alfred,  "  I  have  an  excellent  idea, 
instead  of  worrying  ourselves  waiting  for  the  fish  to  come 
to  us,  let  us  fish  on  a  big  scale,  and  take  fifteen  or  twenty 
at  a  time." 

William — "  How  can  we  take  fifteen  or  twenty  at  a 
time,  when  we  have  not  taken  one  yet  \  " 

Alfred— "With  a  sweep-net." 

Henry — "But  it  is  very  difficult  to  manage;  papa 
says,  one  must  understand  it." 

Alfred — "  Difficult !  what  nonsense  !  I  have  cast  the 
sweep-net  myself  ten,  yes,  twenty  times!  It  is  very 
easy." 

William — "  Did  you  take  many  fish  ?  " 

Alfred — "  I  did  not  take  any  because  I  did  not  cast  it 
in  the  water." 

Henry — "  Where  then,  and  how  did  you  cast  it,  if  not 
in  the  water  ?  " 

Alfred — "  On  the  grass  or  the  ground,  only  to  learn 
how." 

William — "  But  that  is  not  the  same  thing  at  all,  I  am 
sure  you  would  cast  it  very  awkwardly  on  the  water." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         259 

Alfred— "Awkwardly  !  Do  you  really  think  that  ?  I 
will  convince  you  of  the  contrary.  I  am  going  to  get  the 
sweep-net  which  lies  in  the  yard,  drying  in  the  sun." 

William—"  Please  don't  Alfred,  if  anything  should 
happen,  papa  would  scold." 

Alfred— "And  what  can  happen  ?  I  tell  you,  that  at 
home,  we  always  fish  with  it.  I  am  going,  wait  for 
me,  I'll  not  be  long." 

And  away  ran  Alfred,  leaving  "William  and  Henry 
anxious  and  dissatisfied.  He  soon  returned  dragging  the 
sweep  net  after  him. 

"  Here  it  is,"  said  he,  spreading  it  out  on  the  ground. 
"  Now  fish,  beware !  " 

He  cast  the  net  with  tolerable  dexterity,  and  began  to 
draw  it  in  cautiously  and  slowly. 

"  Draw  it  in  faster,"  said  Henry, "  we  will  never  finish 
at  that  rate." 

"  No,  no,"  replied  Alfred,  "  it  must  be  drawn  very 
gently,  so  as  not  to  break  the  meshes  and  let  the  fish 
escape." 

He  continued  to  draw  it  "very  gently,"  as  he  said, 
but  only  to  find  it  empty,  not  one  fish  had  been  caught. 

"Oh!  "said  he,  "the  first  time  does  not  count,  we 
must  not  be  discouraged,  let  us  commence  again." 

He  did  commence  again,  and  succeeded  no  better  the 
second  time  than  the  first. 

"  I  know  what  is  the  matter,"  said  he,  "  I  am  too  near 
the  edge  of  the  pond,  the  water  is  not  deep  enough  here, 
I  am  going  to  get  in  the  boat,  which  is  very  long,  conse- 


260          THE  AD  VENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

quentlj,  the  farther  end  of  it  will  give  me  sufficient 
depth  of  water  to  unfold  my  net. 

"No,  Alfred,"  said  William,  "keep  away  from  the 
boat;  you  may  get  that  sweep-net  entangled  in  the  oars, 
or  cordages  and  have  an  upset." 

"  William,  you  are  just  like  a  two  year  old  baby," 
replied  Alfred,  "  for  my  part  I  have  more  courage,  you'll 
see  the  result." 

And  he  darted  into  the  boat,  which  swayed  from  side  to 
side.  Although  he  pretended  to  laugh,  Alfred  was  really 
afraid,  and  I  saw  that  he  would  inevitably  make  a  blunder, 
or  do  some  mischief.  lie  unfolded  and  spread  out  his  net, 
notwithstanding  the  motion  of  the  boat;  but  his  knees 
shook  under  him  and  his  hands  were  unsteady.  Self-love, 
however,  urged  him  on,  and  he  cast  the  net.  But  the 
movement  being  arrested  by  his  fear  of  falling,  the  net 
caught  on  his  left  shoulder,  and  gave  him  sech  a  jerk  that 
he  fell  headlong  into  the  water.  William  and  Henry 
uttered  a  scream  of  terror,  in  unison  with  that  which 
escaped  the  unfortunate  boy  as  he  fell.  Being  enveloped 
in  the  net  which  crippled  all  his  movements,  his  efforts  to 
regain  the  shore  were  in  vain.  The  more  he  struggled, 
the  more  entangled  he  became  in  the  net.  I  saw  him 
gradually  sinking,  a  few  minutes  more  and  he  would  have 
been  beyond  hope.  William  and  Henry  could  give  him 
no  assistance,  neither  of  them  knowing  how  to  swim, 
and  before  they  could  have  run  for  help,  Alfred  must 
certainly  have  perished. 

I  decided  upon  my  part  at  once ;  resolutely  plunging 


(201) 


THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY.  263 

into  the  water,  I  swam  towards  him,  and  diving  (for  he 
had  already  sunk  considerably  beneath  the  surface),  I 
seized  with  my  teeth  the  net  which  enveloped  him. 
Then  swimming  back,  pulling  it  after  me.  I  climbed 
the  very  steep  bank,  still  dragging  Alfred  (no  doubt  giv- 
ing him  a  few  bruises  on  the  stones  and  roots  in  our  path,) 
and  laid  him  on  the  grass,  motionless  and  unconscious. 

William  and  Henry,  pale  and  trembling,  ran  to  him, 
and  with  considerable  difficulty,  succeeded  in  ridding  him 
of  the  net  which  was  wrapped  around  him.  They  then 
sent  Maud  and  Beatrice  to  the  house  for  help. 

The  little  ones,  who,  from  a  distance  had  seen  Alfred 
fall,  also  came  running  to  the  spot,  and  assisted  William 
and  Henry  to  wipe  his  face  and  dripping  hair.  The  ser- 
vants soon  appeared,  and  lifting  the  unconscious  Alfred 
from  the  grass  carried  him  to  the  house.  The  other 
children  remained  with  me. 

"  You  splendid  Cadichon  !  "  exclaimed  James,  "  it  was 
you  who  saved  Alfred's  life !  Did  you  all  see  how  cour- 
ageously he  plunged  into  the  water." 

Louis — «  Yes,  certainly,  and  how  he  dived  to  get  hold 
of  Alfred." 

Elizabeth — "And  how  carefully  he  drew  Alfred  to  the 
Bhore." 

James — "  Poor  Cadichon  !  how  wet  he  is ! " 

Helen — «  Don't  go  near  him  James,  you  will  get  your 
clothes  wet,  just  look  how  the  water  drips  off  of  him." 
.    "Ah!  bah!   what  difference  does  it  make. if  I  am  a 
little  wet  ? "  answered  James,  putting  his  arms  around 
my  neck,  "  I  shall  not  be  as  wet  as  Cadichon." 


264          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

Louis — "  Instead  of  hugging  him  and  paying  him 
compliments,  you  had  better  take  him  to  the  stable,  and 
let  us  rub  him  down  with  a  little  straw,  and  then  give 
him  some  oats  to  warm  him  up  and  revive  him." 

James — "  That  is  true,  you  are  right.  Come,  mj 
Cadichon." 

I  followed  James  and  Louis  who  went  towards  the 
stable,  making  me  a  sign  to  follow  them.  Both  began  to 
rub  me  down  with  such  vehemence  that  they  were  soon 
in  a  perspiration,  but  for  all  that,  neither  of  them  would 
stop  until  I  was  dry.  Meanwhile,  Helen  and  Ruth 
employed  themselves  combing  and  brushing  my  tail  and 
mane.  I  was  superb  when  they  had  all  finished,  and  I 
partook  with  extraordinary  appetite,  of  the  oats  which 
James  and  Louis  gave  me. 

"  Helen,"  said  little  Ruth  in  a  low  tone  to  her  cousin, 
"  Cadichon  has  a  great  quantity  of  oats,  he  has  too  many." 

Helen — "  That's  no  matter,  Ruth ;  he  has  been  very 
good,  and  we  have  given  him  the  oats  as  a  reward." 

Ruth — "  I  would  like  to  have  a  few  of  his  oats  myself." 

Helen—"  For  what  ?  " 

Ruth — "  To  give  our  poor  rabbits,  that  love  oats  so 
much,  and  never  get  any." 

Helen — "  If  James  and  Louis  see  you  taking  oats  from 
Cadichon,  they  will  scold." 

Ruth — "  They  shall  not  see  me,  I  will  wait  until  they 
are  not  looking." 

Helen — "  Then  you  will  be  a  thief,  for  you  would  be 
stealing  oats  from  poor  Cadichon,  who  cannot  complain, 
because  he  cannot  speak." 


Euth  ran  Joyously  to  her  rabbits.— (Paso  268.) 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.          2G7 

"  So  I  would,"  said  Ruth  sadly.  "  My  poor  rabbits 
would  be  too  glad  to  have  a  few  oats."  And  she  seated 
herself  near  my  trough  and  watched  me  as  I  ate. 

"  Why  are  you  sitting  there,  Ruth  ? "  asked  Helen. 
"  Come  with  me  to  inquire  for  Alfred." 

"  No,"  said  Ruth,  "  I  would  rather  wait  till  Cadichon 
finishes  eating,  so  that  if  he  leaves  any  oats,  I  can  take 
them  for  my  rabbits  without  stealing." 

Helen  insisted,  but  Ruth  refused  to  go,  and  Helen  at 
last  went  off'  with  her  cousins. 

I  ate  slowly,  wishing  to  see  if  Ruth  would  yield  even 
once  to  the  temptation  of  regaling  her  rabbits  at  my 
expense.  From  time  to  time  she  looked  in  the  trough. 

"  How  he  eats,"  said  she,  "  he  will  never  finish — ho 
cannot  be  hungry,  for  he  is  always  eating — the  oats  are 
disappearing,  if  he  would  leave  only  a  few,  I  should  be 
BO  delighted." 

I  could  easily  have  eaten  all  that  was  before  me,  but 
the  poor  little  girl  excited  my  pity.  She  touched  nothing 
in  spite  of  her  desire  to  regale  the  rabbits.  Pretending 
to  have  enough,  I  quit  my  trough,  leaving  the  half  of 
my  oats ;  Ruth  uttered  a  cry  of  joy,  leaped  to  her  feet, 
and  taking  the  oats  by  the  handful  emptied  them  into 
her  black  taffetta  apron. 

"  Oh  !  how  kind  you  are,  how  obliging  you  are,  my 
dear  good  Cadichon,"  said  she.  "  1  never  saw  such  a 
donkey  as  you — It  is  very  genteel  not  to  be  a  glutton — 
Everybody  loves  you  because  you  are  good — The  rabbits 
will  be  so  pleased !  I  will  tell  them,  it  was  you  that  gave 
them  their  oats." 


268          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

And  Ruth  who  had  finished  gathering  up  the  oats  and 
putting  them  in  her  apron,  ran  joyously  to  her  rabbits. 
I  saw  her  reach  their  little  house,  and  I  heard  her  tell 
them  how  good  I  was,  that  I  was  not  the  least  bit  of  a 
glutton — that  they  must  follow  my  example,  and  as  I 
had  left  some  oats  for  them,  so  ought  they  to  leave  some 
for  the  little  birds. 

"  I  will  soon  return,"  said  she,  "  to  see  if  you  are  as 
good  as  Cadichon." 

She  shut  their  door  and  ran  to  join  Helen. 

Following  her  to  hear  something  from  Alfred,  I  was 
delighted  on  approaching  the  castle,  to  see  him  seated 
on  the  grass  with  his  friends.  lie  arose,  and  coming 
to  me,  covered  me  with  caresses. 

"  Here  is  my  deliverer,"  said  he ;  "  but  for  him  I  would 
have  died,  I  became  unconscious  at  the  very  moment, 
when  Cadichon  having  seized  the  net,  began  to  draw  me 
to  land  ;  but  I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  seeing  him 
plunge  in  the  water  and  dive  to  save  me.  I  shall  never 
forget  the  service  he  has  rendered  me,  and  I  shall  never 
come  here  without  speaking  to  Cadichon." 

"  That  is  right,  Alfred,"  said  the  grandmother.  "  He 
who  has  a  good  heart,  is  no  less  grateful  to  the  lower 
animals  than  to  men.  As  for  me,  I  shall  always  remem- 
ber Cadichon's  services,  and  happen  what  will,  I  am 
determined  never  to  part  with  him." 

"  But  grandmother,"  said  Maud,  "  a  few  months  ago 
you  talked  of  sending  him  to  the  mill.  He  would  have 
been  very  miserable  there." 


THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY.         271 

"  Yes,  dear  child,  but  I  did  not  send  him ;  I  did  think 
of  it,  it  is  true,  after  the  trick  he  played  Alfred,  both 
because  of  it,  and  the  numberless  complaints  from  every- 
one on  the  place.  But  I  decided  to  keep  him  in 
acknowledgment  of  his  former  services,  and  I  now  say, 
that  not  only  shall  he  remain,  but  everything  shall  bo 
done  to  render  him  comfortable  and  happy." 

"  Oh !  thanks,  grandma,  thanks,"  exclaimed  James, 
throwing  his  arms  around  his  grandmother's  neck  and 
almost  pulling  her  to  the  ground.  "  Let  me  be  the  one 
to  take  charge  of  my  dear  Cadichon,  I  shall  love  him 
and  he  will  love  me  more  than  he  does  any  one  else." 

"  Why,  my  little  James,  do  you  wish  Cadichon  to  care 
more  for  you  than  for  the  others  ?  That  is  not  right." 

"  Yes,  yes,  grandma,  it  is  right,  for  I  love  him  more 
than  they  do,  and  besides,  when  he  was  bad,  and  every- 
body displeased  with  him,  I  still  cared  a  little  for  him, 
indeed,  I  might  say,  a  great  deal,"  he  added,  laughing, 
"  Isn't  it  so,  Cadichon  ?  " 

I  answered  by  coming  up  to  him  and  laying  my  head 
on  his  shoulders.  Everybody  laughed  and  James  con- 
tinued : 

"  Now,  cousins,  are  you  willing  for  Cadichon  to  love 
me  more  than  he  does  you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes,  yes,"  they  all  answered,  laughing. 

"  And  haven't  I  always  cared  more  for  him  than  the 
rest  of  you  have  ? " 

"  Yes,  yes,  yes,"  was  the  unanimous  reply. 

"  You  see,  grandma,  that  since  it  was  I  who  brought 


272          THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  DONKEY. 

Cadichon  here,  and  it  is  I  who  love  him  best,  it  is  only 
fair  that  he  should  love  me  best." 

"  I  can  say  no  more,  dear  child,"  said  the  grandmother, 
smiling,  "but  you  cannot  take  care  of  him  when  you 
are  not  here." 

"  But  I  shall  always  be  here,  grandma,"  said  James, 
eagerly. 

"  No,  my  dear  child,  you  will  not  always  be  here,  for 
your  papa  and  mamma  take  you  away  when  they  go." 

James  became  pensive  and  sad,  he  put  his  arm  upon 
my  neck  and  rested  his  head  on  his  hand.  Suddenly  his 
face  brightened. 

"  Grandma,"  said  he,  "  will  you  give  me  Cadichon?" 

"I  will  give  you  whatever  you  wish,  my  dear  little 
one,  but  I  cannot  let  you  take  him  to  Paris  with  you." 

"  No,  to  be  sure  not ;  but  then  he  will  belong  to  me, 
and  when  papa  has  a  castle  we  will  take  Cadichon." 

"  I  give  him  to  you  on  that  condition,  my  child,  mean- 
while he  will  stay  here  where  in  all  probability  he  will 
outlive  me.  Do  not  forget  then  that  Cadichon  is  yours, 
and  to  you  is  entrusted  the  charge  of  making  him  com- 
fortable and  happy." 


CONCLUSION, 

FROM  that  day  my  little  master  James  seemed  to  love 
me  more  than  ever,  whilst  I,  in  turn,  did  my  very  best 
to  make  myself  useful  and  agreeable,  not  only  to  him, 
but  to  every  one  about  the  place.  I  had  no  reason  to 
repent  of  my  reformation,  for  it  gained  me  the  esteem 
and  affection  of  all.  I  continued  to  watch  over  the 
children,  preserving  them  from  several  accidents,  and 
protecting  them  against  bad  people  and  wicked  animals. 

Alfred  was  often  at  the  castle,  and  he  never  forgot  his 
promised  visit  to  me,  always  bringing  me  some  delicacy, 
an  apple,  a  pear,  bread  and  salt  of  which  I  was  particu- 
larly fond,  a  handful  of  lettuce  or  some  carrots — always 
something  that  he  knew  I  fancied,  which  fully  convinced 
me  how  much  mistaken  I  had  been  in  my  former 
opinion  of  the  poor  boy,  believing  him  bad,  when  he  was 
only  a  little  foolish  and  vain. 

The  idea  of  writing  the  story  of  my  adventures  was 
prompted  by  a  series  of  conversations  between  Henry 
and  his  cousins ;  Henry  always  maintaining  that  I  did 
not  understand  what  I  did  nor  why  I  did  it,  his  cousins, 
James  especially,  as  stoutly  asserting  the  contrary.  I 
profited  by  a  very  severe  winter,  which  did  not  permit  of 

(273) 


274:  THE   ADVENTURES   OF   A   DONKEY. 

my  remaining  out-doors,  to  jot  down  some  of  the  most 
important  events  of  my  life.  They  may  amuse  you, 
perhaps,  my  young  friends ;  at  any  rate,  they  will  teach 
you,  that  if  you  wish  faithful  service,  you  must  treat 
kindly  those  who  serve  you — that  they  who  appear  the 
most  stupid  are  not  always  so — that  a  donkey  like 
everything  else,  has  a  heart  to  love  his  masters  and 
suffer  from  bad  treatment,  a  will  to  be  revenged  or  to 
show  his  affection — that  it  depends  upon  his  masters  to 
make  him  either  happy  or  unhappy,  a  friend  or  an 
enemy,  poor  donkey  as  he  ig.  I,  myself,  am  very  happy, 
loved  by  every  one,  and  cared  for  as  a  friend  by  my  little 
master  James.  I  am  beginning  to  grow  old,  but  we 
donkeys  sometimes  live  a  long  time,  and  just  as  long  as 
I  am  able  to  walk  and  be  of  any  use  whatever,  my  ser- 
vices are  at  the  disposal  of  my  masters. 


THE   END. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

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Form  L9-Series  4939 


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